An amazing woman who loves Jesus

            Madeleine Louise Heffley, 70, of Milton, Delaware, went to her celestial home on June 6, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer.  She passed away at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, Delaware.

            Born September 21, 1946 in Allentown, PA, she was the daughter of the late John J. Higgins and Florence Weaver Higgins Sundblad of Cokato, Minnesota.

            Madeleine was married for 51 years to David P. Heffley, whom she met while at Kutztown University.   

            She is survived by her three children, Michael David and his wife Marisa Frey, of Lansdale, PA; Darryl Patrick, of Milton, DE; and Briana Louise, wife of Edwin Marks, of Sellersville, PA.  Madeleine had one grandchild, Aiden Michael, son of Michael and Marissa.  She is predeceased by her parents and brother, John J. Higgins, Jr.  She is survived by numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

            Madeleine was affectionately known as the bird-lady for her love of all kinds of birds, especially songbirds, puffins, loons, snow geese and eagles. She loved hand quilting, beading, antiquing, bluegrass, Celtic and classical music, and playing Mexican train and bunco with her Heritage Creek ladies. 

            She accepted Christ as her Savior in 1977, and radiated His light to everyone she encountered.  She was known for her smile and contagious laughter. She never wanted to be a leader of any ministry, but wanted to be a servant helping where she could. Her passion was visiting and praying for those in the hospital, spending time in prayer and conversation with their family members in the waiting lounges, preparing meals for those in need, helping with Operation Christmas Child and playing the piano.  She also loved to sing and was a member of the Voices of Joy and the Zion Chorale Society in southeastern Pennsylvania.

            She was a wonderful mother to her three children and relished being 'Grammy' to her grandson, Aiden.  She was a loving wife to her husband David, often writing little love notes that he would find in unsuspecting places. Madeleine's vocations included being a bank teller, church administrative assistant, a secretary for a garden center and an excavating company. Her last position was as an administrative assistant at a hospital in Pennsylvania.

            Madeleine will be honored on Saturday, June 17^th with a liturgical service at Saint Paul's United Church of Christ, 47 South Whiteoak Street, Kutztown, PA 19530.   A visitation hour will precede the service in Kutztown from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  A private burial service for friends and family will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Main Street, Kutztown, PA 19530 (next to Kutztown University).

            An interment service for Madeleine's mother, Florence Weaver Higgins Sundblad, will be conducted at the Moravian Cemetery, 146 East Main Street, Emmaus, PA at 9:30 a.m. on the same day.  Friends and relatives are invited to attend either/or both services. Robert Dekker, Pastor of New Covenant Church, Milton, Delaware will officiate both burial services. 

            Madeleine had many friends in Delaware and for them to remember her, a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 5, at 1:00 p.m. at New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3072 Savannah East Drive, Lewes, Delaware 19958. All are invited to attend both the interment service in Pennsylvania and the Memorial Service in Lewes, Delaware.  A visitation hour will precede the memorial service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

            Contributions in Madeleine's memory may be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, Delaware, 19963 and/or Beebe's Tunnel Cancer Center, 18947 John J Williams Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.