Patricia Ellen Heenan

Patricia Ellen Heenan, devoted daughter, beloved sister, and magical aunt to more than 60 nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews, died peacefully surrounded by family on June 20, 2021. Born at the American Airforce Base in Wiesbaden, Germany on July 31, 1952 while her family was stationed overseas, “Pat Ellen” was the fifth child of Edward T. and Jane (Nugent) Heenan, and eventually the middle child of nine siblings. She was a graduate of Gwynedd Mercy Academy, like her grandmother, mother, and sisters, and attended nursing school before starting a career for over 30-years following in her father’s footsteps as a telecommunications executive, first for Bell Telephone, then Bell Atlantic, and eventually Verizon. A resident of North Wales and then Philadelphia, Pat Ellen’s demanding professional career never stood in the way of cherished time with friends and particularly with family, whether in North Wales, Philadelphia, or in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, where Pat’s family spent summers from the time she was a child. Pat was a willing and natural caregiver, helping guide (and often house) her siblings’ children, developing special traditions with her countless family members, and playing a particularly meaningful role in supporting her niece Kelly O’Brien Rooney through her battle with cancer and her eventual passing. Pat worked alongside her father, looked like her mother, and made memories with her siblings and their families that will last well beyond her 68 years. She is survived by her sisters Mari O’Brien, Connie Heenan, Jill Mull, and Sharon Galbally, and her brothers Kevin, Brian, and Jack Heenan. Her brother Michael Heenan, as well as her parents Edward and Jane Heenan, preceded her in death. She was “Aunt Pat” to the O’Brien, Heenan, Galbally, Mull, Rooney, Hudash, Hively, Ryan, Dugery, Salveson, Hawkins, Coskey, Flink, and Walker families, and managed to make all of them feel special. Pat Ellen will be laid to rest in a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, June 29th at 10:00 am at Saint Genevieve’s Catholic Church, 1225 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation from 9-10AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.