Norma Jean Gruter Heffernan passed suddenly March 27, 2024.  Born December 5th, 1943, to Mildred and Anton Gruter, Norma was the youngest of their four children as well as the final survivor.  She married Joseph Fletcher Heffernan August 8th, 1964, remaining wed until death did they part, when Joseph went into God's arms on January 18th, 2021 after a brief time in home hospice as they approached their 57th anniversary as husband and wife.

She was a lifelong resident of La Porte, Texas, graduating from La Porte High School in 1962.  She and her husband are survived by their son, Patrick Heffernan, and his wife Grace, along with Jacob Heffernan, their son, of Alvin, Texas, as well as her daughter, Susan Miller, of Pasadena, Texas, Susan's boyfriend Steve Freimuller, also of Pasadena, Texas, and her grandson Cameron Miller, late of Dallas, Texas, soon to graduate medical school and embark on a career as a physician.  Norma was highly proud of her grandsons, taking delight and pride in both young men.  She had indeed been planning to attend Cameron's graduation services in May.  Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Gladys Winters of Ashdown, Arkansas, and Leone Gruter, of Staples Texas, and their children, Barry Winters, Casey Winters, Janet Winters Dawson, Jesse Gruter, and Christine Gruter Webb.

She is also survived by a host of friends, notably including Gloria Chamberlain, her neighbor of 45 years.  She remained active in La Porte Community Church, more often than not attending Sunday services.  Her minister noted it was her habit to sit at the back of the sanctuary on Sundays where she "held court" after services.  She also made a point, as a treat to herself, of a weekly visit to her hairdresser, staying active after the death of her husband.  She intended to live a long time further, delighting in what life offered her.  Norma loved to live!

Services are at La Porte Community Church at 202 S 1st Street in La Porte, Texas on April 12th, 2024, at 11:00 AM.  It will be a dual service for Norma as well as for Joseph, as the pandemic prevented the family from holding a service for him.  The family will privately scatter their ashes at a later time.