Obituary of Mary Colwell Heflin

Mary Colwell Heflin, 90, of State College, died Friday May 6, 2016, surrounded by her family, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center. Born Sept 10, 1925 in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of Douglas Josiah and Mary Wheelock Richardson. On Sept. 3, 1949 she married Richard M. Colwell who preceded her in death in 1964. On June 27, 1992 she married John J. Heflin who also preceded her in death in 1995. She is survived by three children, Cynthia J. "Cindy" Dale (F. David) of Peachtree City, GA; Craig R. Colwell (Tammy) of State College, and Alyson W. Colwell-Waber (Arthur) of Cary, NC; three grandsons, Ryan D. Colwell of Phoenix, AZ, Adam J. Dale of Alexandria, VA, and Andrew J. Colwell of Erie, PA. Mary is also survived by her brother, Douglas J. Richardson, Jr of Bluffton, SC. A fourth grandson, F. David Dale III, preceded her in death in 1989. Mary graduated from BMC Durfee High School, Fall River, MA and attended Boston University. She worked for a public accounting and insurance firm and, later, in the offices of a law firm. Following her marriage to Richard M. Colwell, PhD, she moved with him to State College where he was a Professor in the College of Business at Penn State University. Following his death, she was employed by Penn State as Administrative Assistant at Eisenhower Chapel where she managed many programs, supervised the budget, and coordinated weddings for "hundreds of nervous brides and anxious mothers." In 1976 she moved to Penn State's University House as the Assistant Director, Office of Special Events where she planned and coordinated official hospitality for two University Presidents, Dr. John Oswald and Dr. Bryce Jordan. After retiring in 1985, the next eight winters were spent with her father in Florida. There she reunited with dear family friend John Heflin and they married in 1993. She traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad, collecting interesting art objects and rich memories. She enjoyed bridge, golf, and, most of all, spending time with her family. Volunteer and philanthropic activities included State College Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder, University Women's Club, The State Theater, Nittany Valley Symphony, The Penn State Alumni Association, and the Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art. In 2005, The Friends of the Museum recognized Mary and her dear friend Shirley Palermo as Honorary Chairpersons of their Annual Gala. After moving to The Village at Penn State in 2010, she was elected to two terms as Secretary for the Resident's Council. She loved her time at the Village and appreciated the caring staff and loved her many dear friends, known to her family as "The Village People". Friends will be received on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 from 12:00-2:00 pm at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, PA with memorial services to follow at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at Centre County Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave., State College, PA 16801 or The Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State University, Curtin Road, University Park, PA 16802. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.