Helen Cecilia Heater, 100, of Columbus, N.C. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Laurel Woods in, Columbus, N.C.

Born in New Brunswick, N.J., she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Canlon Donnelly. She was the wife of the late Frank Heater who passed away in 1975. While living in New Brunswick, she was a member of her high school basketball team that won the 1931 Women’s State Championship. Prior to her marriage, she worked at Rutgers University. Helen and Frank resided in New Brunswick, N.J., Allentown, Pa., and Hagerstown, Md., prior to moving to Deltona, Fla., in 1974. She moved to Polk County, N.C. in 2002. Helen was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, N.C. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending her time traveling the country.

Surviving are three nieces, Barbara (Dick) Belthoff of Tryon, N.C., Gail (Arnold) Papenfuhs of Pittstown, N.J., and Katheryn (Michael) Petty of Summerville, S.C. Also surviving are several great nieces and nephews.

Services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Missions, 9001 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.