The Obituary for Nancy Jean Heffelfinger
“The delight of your eyes.”
Thus I AM, God over all, referred to the prophet’s beloved when He took her from him for higher purposes (Ezek. 24:16). So it has pleased Him to do with the wife of my youth. He gives and takes away; blessed be His name (Job 1:21).
As with the loss of Joshua, our firstborn son, I choose to publish her obituary on my blog with its various social media connections.
Nancy Jean Masologites Heffelfinger, age 66, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, went peacefully to her treasured Lord Jesus at home on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. She was born on October 17, 1949, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Broomall, PA, where she attended Marple Newton High School. In addition to her academic excellence, Nancy loved sports. She captained her tennis team and played a fierce game of field hockey. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics and child development from the University of Delaware.
Much of her work life outside the home involved utilizing considerable administrative assistant and people-relating skills. But she came into her own upon discovering a passion and gift for natural health and nutrition. Countless people over the years benefited immensely from her testing, counsel, and care. She never met a vitamin/mineral supplement she didn’t like.
Nancy met her husband-to-be Curt on January 5, 1974. That day she professed faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. Six months later she and Curt got engaged; they married on December 21, 1974. After six years of residing in Southern California, she and her family moved to Central Florida. Most of the rest of her life involved making a home in metro Orlando–except for a two year stint in Idaho.
Nancy ran her spiritual race right to the finish line, serving diligently as a partner in the gospel with her pastor/husband at five different churches over the course of their married lives. She possessed an uncommonly positive, even-keeled disposition, rarely complaining about anything–even during her eighteen-month battle with cancer. Whatever it took to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle with the Lord’s help, that she consistently did. She was a “no-problem” gem of a woman.
She is survived by Curt Heffelfinger, her devoted husband, Joel Heffelfinger, her remaining son (Joshua, her firstborn, predeceased her in January of 2014), five grandchildren, Jean, her mother, three younger siblings, and numerous other extended family members.
Please visit the DeGusipe Funeral Home website to post a tribute, if you so desire. A memorial service for Nancy is scheduled at Orlando Grace Church, 872 Maitland Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Florida, at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 4, 2016. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall after the service. Tax deductible gifts in her memory toward the church’s building fund/capital campaign can be made to Orlando Grace Church where she has served as a covenant member and faithful pastor’s wife these past eleven years. For more information contact the church office at 407.660.1984.
Our deepest, sincere, and heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of support in the way of tears, cards, gifts, meals, calls, texts, emails, posts, and especially prayers. As before, I feel rich beyond my imagination in terms of that which, humanly speaking, matters most–the love and care of others.
With gratitude to the only One I have ever loved more than my Nancy, I am sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. 6:10).
Grief is great; grace is greater.
curtheffelfinger.com 
Curt,
I have been where you are.
I am now here for YOU, ANYTIME. 407-921-7131
My heart breaks for you.
Stephanie Wangerin
Beautifully written, my brother. We grieve at the loss of Nancy, here on this earth.
She has been welcomed into the courts of her Father with rejoicing, though she will beissed and cherished here…this was not her home.
Thank you for the reminder again with your beautiful words, to set our eyes on things above.
She has won the race.
She has been welcomed into the courts of her Father with rejoicing, though she will missed and cherished here…this was not her home.
Thank you for the reminder again with your beautiful words, to set our eyes on things above.
She has won the race.
Words continue to fail as you stated yesterday. No words seem adequate enough right now to express the grief and sorrow felt for your loss. Just know that you are an inspiration to all, many are rallying around you and standing with you in your grief and praying continually for you and Joel and the family. You are greatly loved and you are definitely not alone. His strength is perfect even when our’s is weak. Nancy is in the most wonderful place imaginable now. May that bring you much comfort as it has for me so many times in the years since Rick passed.
Nancy was greatly beloved by all of us and has left a wonderful legacy and role model for all who know her and for generations to come. We will all miss her wonderful disposition and desire to help and serve and to love.
PC ,our prayers and desire to help are with you, Joel and the family.
Certainly our Lord will say “well done” faithful servant.
We will continue to remember you & your family in prayer. Thank God Nancy is no longer suffering & enjoying heaven. We look forward to seeing her again some day.
Eleanor & Aaron Fox
I’m so sorry . My heart breaks for you. We’re just not seeing enough to express the sorrow on the loss of Nancy. She finish the race. And in her new home in Paradise. I pray that God will give strength and comfort in times like this. I know that he’s with you and we all with you.
Love kathy and family.
We am so sorry for your loss. Nancy was a beautiful person in every way. She was a good and faithful servant. We are praying for God’ strength and comfort for you and you family. We love you and grieve with you.
sending Love Prayers and Upholding to you all and Blessings to Dear Nancy on her Journey Home
What a beautiful tribute, Pastor Curt. Many times I have wished I had come to OGC sooner and been able to get to know Nancy better in happier times- but now she is enjoying the most joyful time of all. We still “know in part” – but now Nancy knows fully, even as she is fully known. 1 Cor. 13:12 May the God of all comfort comfort you as only he can.
Johnny Clemenson called me tonight to tell me about Nancy. As soon as I heard his voice I knew that Nancy had gone home to the Lord. Colleen and I prayed for you right after the call. I love you, brother.
So sad to hear of your loss, Curt. I did not know about your son either. You will be in my prayers as you face the tough days ahead. ” great is His faithfulness”….
Praying for you in the days to come, Curt. I wish I could have known her but I will see her at the wedding feast of the Lamb and what a great day that will be! Come Lord Jesus.
What a wonderful tribute. She was a loving and caring person who wanted to help people. She surely will wear many crowns. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and family. Words are hard to express to such a loss. God keep you in His hands and strengthen you now and in the days ahead.
Dear Curt and Joel ~ I am so vey sorry for your loss ~ your Nancy! Curt yours was such an amazing love story! Which will continue throughout Eternity! I feel so privileged to have known Nancy! She truly was and is a TREASURE! What a Unique and BEAUTIFUL Gift she is! She helped me so much with my health and her love of me and her love of Jesus! I feel sad that I was unable to spend more time with her over the years…yet we had a special bond in Jesus! Jesus and our Father know to the depths of every corner of your heart ALL of your pain… all of your need…He will help you completely and perfectly through all of this…I am so grateful for all the wonderful support you have! Curt, your faith is great! Thank You for turning our eyes toward Jesus, even through the depths of your pain! Thank You for your Love of Jesus! We will uphold you in prayer! Though we don’t know you well, we love you both!
Thank you for your faithful receipt of God’s way for your family, Curt. It encourages us all to do likewise.
Craig’s and my prayers for you will continue, as you and Joel grieve your tremendous loss.
I loved Nancy’s smile, our long talks together and many fun times also. I always appreciated her for who she was rather than what she did (as she did for me). Her ministry of healing has blessed so many. I will dearly miss her but am thankful for many years of friendship. May the Lord hold you and Joel (and the rest of your family) close indeed. As Bob said above, I am certain that Nancy heard “well done, good and faithful servant”. I can see her smile now. 🙂
No one can know the depths of gratitude I have toward this woman, your wife, your bride, your Nancy. I am almost jealous to hear of her being referred to as “your” Nancy, for in my heart I think of her as mine. My Nancy. Sister of faith, beloved friend. Healer. She healed me. She gave me back my life. When I came to the door of her home, Nancy received me graciously, with kindness. I was desperate. She was my last hope. I had seen several health professionals about my condition, as well as some lay people, and not one of them could help me out of the darkness of mind and soul that were mine when I came to her door. All of them had been ineffective at best, impatient and bullying at worst. Friends tried to convince me that the fault for my condition lay with me. I wasn’t in the word enough. I should be more trusting. I should see a shrink. (I was under a shrink’s care. He gave me more meds. They made me worse.) One doctor told me I had demons and he could set me up with some folks who knew how to handle that kind of thing. All of them held varying degrees of condescension toward me. None of them healed me.
Nancy healed me.
Right here I want to insert the fact that I know all healing comes from God. I’m not elevating Nancy to a state of godhood. Nancy, fully human, was a vessel of God’s healing. I know that. But God knows my heart, and he is not jealous as I am, when I say the words, Nancy healed me. He knows what I mean. He knows she did. God made her a healer in the first place.
I’ve never had anyone help me as selflessly as Nancy did. She remains the most selfless person I have ever known. Loving, steadfast, loyal, empathetic, understanding, compassionate, persevering, persistent, patient, fun, funny…. just a few of the adjectives I could use to describe her. None of them come close to describing the complete awesomeness that was her. And she took the time to heal me. Hours and hours at her dining room table while her nimble fingers worked their skill to determine which supplement I should be taking and how much of it. Where was my body weak? Where was it strong? How to handle a hiatal hernia. Liver flushes, coffee enemas, foot soaks. Nancy worked with me faithfully for over four years before I could finally say I had regained my mental and emotional health, and was finally a whole and healthy woman again. She gave me my life back, and she did it without the slightest trace of judgment or blame. Only love and faith.
The well of gratitude that dwells within my heart for Nancy has no bottom. I will NEVER forget her. I have a kitchen countertop and cabinet full of supplements and health regimens that remind me daily of Nancy. There is no way I could forget her. There is no way I would ever want to. I loved Nancy. I love her still. She is my friend. And though she was and remains your Nancy first, she is my Nancy, too. And I want you to know that I’m grateful to you for sharing her with me. I will carry the torch of her memory within me for all my days. I love her so much.
Bless you for this.
May God fill your heart with grace and peace in the midst of this great suffering. I am terribly sorry to hear of your loss and I deeply regret not knowing of this sooner… I am grateful to see God loving you through so many people… And I am encouraged by His grace in your life as you are glorifying Him before all who look upon or hear of your suffering.
If I can assist you in any way please let me know.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:7 (NASB)
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16:20 (NASB)
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 1:3 (NASB)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 1:2 (NASB)
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
Gal 1:3 (NASB)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:2 (NASB)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phil 1:2 (NASB)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints ;5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven , of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel6 which has come to you, just as in all the world [even Portugal : )] also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing , even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
Col 1:2-6 (NASB)
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
1 Thess 1:1 (NASB)
2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thess 1:2 (NASB)
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Tim 1:2 (NASB)
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Tim 1:2 (NASB)
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus 1:4 (NASB)
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philem 1:3 (NASB)
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
1 Peter 1:1-2 (NASB)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence .
2 Peter 1:2-3 (NASB)
3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2 John 1:3 (NASB)
Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:4-6 (NASB)
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Rev 22:21 (NASB)
Thanks, dear brother.
Curt, Kelly and I have been praying and thinking of you often these past days—-Your loyalty to us over the years WILL never be forgotten and at this time we pray for you and at the same time REJOICE. GOD BLESS YOU!
Thank you, friend.
Our Dearest Brother, Curt.
Michael and I just heard today of our dear, Nancy’s passing. We grieve with you and we rejoice knowing she is with her beloved Lord. Please know our love and prayers are with you. Know that our congregation will lift you in prayer. May our Heavenly Father strengthen you, comfort you, and bring you peace in the days ahead. We love you. Nancy will be deeply missed. God be with you.
Michael and Maryann Gulotta
Thanks so very much.
“When sorrows like sea billows roll…” easy to sing, but never easy to suffer through. Praise God that Nancy suffers no more, but you & I will continue in that path until our work is done. Pain is a most unwanted gift, but it is a gift, nonetheless. Imagine what would happen to us, if we continued to touch a hot stove without feeling the pain. We feel the heat with you, our brother & friend. May our prayers & thoughts be an added comfort to you during this painful loss, knowing that you have many in the West who love you. And we will miss Nancy until we see her again, just beyond the River. And we hope to see you again before that day, as well. 1 Cor 15:54-58 Michael G.
Bless you, friend.
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