KENT—Patricia Helen Kiefer Heaton, 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at her home in Kent.
Born and raised in New Milford, Pattie attended St. Francis Elementary School and New Milford High School, and briefly attended UCONN to study art. After a few years living in Torrington, she eventually settled in Kent.
Pattie was first and foremost an artist but held several jobs throughout her life, most notably as the assistant tax collector before finding her calling as an assistant teacher or paraprofessional at Kent Center School.
She was incredibly hard working, proudly taking after her father in that sense. She rarely missed a day of work—when her home was flooded, she was highlighted in the paper commuting to work in a canoe because she didn’t want to miss a day.
Pattie worked at Kent Center School for almost 25 years, shaping the young minds and hearts of the lower grade students. While she spent the majority of her time with the lower grades, she was called upon to do everything from recess duty, to designing safety systems for student pickup, developing programs to help students learn to read, to substitute teaching any subject on demand, and helping out in art class. She also assisted in the setup and planning for the annual student art fair where she even had the chance to showcase her own work.
For her students, a trip to Mrs. Heaton’s room was an adventure where lessons were filled with dedicated attention and creativity, and always ended with a fun gift of a sticker, pencil or eraser that she paid for out of her own pocket to engage and celebrate those kids.
She designed the most creative ways to help kids learn to read—illustrating characters from the books, creating games, challenging students to think creatively, and spending time with students one-on-one to support them if they were having trouble.
Hundreds of Kent’s children, over almost 25 years, were affected by her teaching, creativity, patience, humor and kindness. It would bring so much joy and pride to her when she would see one of her students later on in life, grown up and successful, and filled with gratitude and nostalgia for the impact she had had on their lives.
Despite her talents in teaching and art, Pattie’s purpose and greatest joy in this life was her family.
Though life threw many challenges at her, Pattie was strong, resilient and persevered. No matter what, she just kept going for her family. There was always another birthday or hockey game or holiday that became a guidepost for her to keep moving forward for them.
Pattie was devoted to her children and granddaughter, giving her whole self to ensuring they were safe, happy, successful and, most importantly, that they knew they were loved.
In her personal life, she remembered everyone. She was the most giving and loving person you could ever meet. If you were in her world, she was never without a gift or creatively designed, funny birthday card. She knew the pain of being forgotten or left out and would do everything in her power to ensure others didn’t feel that way.
Pattie is survived by her husband, Kevin Heaton; children Vanessa, Adam, Bridget and Sean; and granddaughter, Lana. Her husband, children and granddaughter were her heart and whole world. Pattie was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Melville Kiefer; her sisters, Nancy and Melinda; and a brother John.
We ask that you keep her in your hearts and prayers, and join us in celebrating her life in any way that you can.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s or Shriners Children’s hospitals in her name.
