Emily Heffernan
Emily Barbara Heffernan peacefully passed away on April 12, 2024, at the age of 94, while in hospice care at Freedom Village of Bradenton. She was born October 15, 1929, in Binghamton, New York, to Joseph and Anna Krizka. The family later moved to Illinois, where Emily met Theodore Borowski, a widower with 3 small children (ages 3, 6, and 9) whom she married on April 15, 1953. Emily then adopted all 3 children and raised them like her own. In 1987, she and Ted moved to Sarasota, Florida. Ted passed away on November 19, 1996. After several years of being single, Emily met Joe Heffernan while ushering together at church. They dated for a while, and then Joe asked Emily to marry him. They married on May 6, 2001, and had 22 wonderful years together before Joe passed away on February 24, 2024. Both Ted & Joe are interred at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs’ ‘Risen Christ’ Memorial Garden.
Emily worked for Western Electric for many years as an accountant before retiring to Sarasota. She loved traveling, shopping, and crocheting, but most of all, she loved painting. Emily & Joe enjoyed being head of coffee hour every Saturday in the clubhouse at Golf Lakes Estates. She also continued to usher every Sunday morning in church. Emily had a kind & generous heart and donated to many, many charities.
Emily is survived by her daughter Pamela Barthels, daughters-in-law Jan Borowski and Charlotte Borowski, and four grandchildren: Bill Borowski (Karen), Gregory Borowski (Alex), Kristin Barthels, & Jennifer Borowski, and four great-grandchildren, who were the apple of her eye: Mejia, Ariana, Wraylynn, and Matthew. Emily was predeceased by both her beloved husbands, Ted Borowski and Joe Heffernan, as well as her dear sons, Greg and Wayne.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Emily on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 10:00 am at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, 833 Magellan Dr., Sarasota, FL 34243. She will be interred at the Church Memorial Gardens immediately afterward. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to paws.org. Cards can be sent to Emily’s daughter, Pam Barthels.
