Obituary of Beverly A. Heberger

Beverly Baker Heberger, 76 of Irondequoit NY, passed away on February 15, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Bev touched many lives and made countless friends along the way. Bev had a true zest for life and believed in living her life to the fullest. She had a fun and festive personality who loved to spend time with her family and friends. Bev had a gift for making friends easily – she was an empathic and excellent listener who truly cared about others. If you were Bev’s friend, you were her family! Bev had a tough inner strength and moral compass which helped to guide her (and her children) through life. Bev enjoyed music and dancing – especially Irish music, and was thrilled when she found that she had an Irish background, thanks to an Ancestry search! Bev loved to sing (even if it was off-key!). Everyone who knew Bev knew of her affection for chocolate, and she enjoyed Blizzards at DQ with her dear friend, Joanie, or her granddaughter, Mollie. She also enjoyed a good gin and tonic now and then.

Bev and her husband, Mike, enjoyed a true and great love. They built a wonderful life and home together, filled with a loving family and endless memories of laughter and togetherness. Bev was truly the backbone of her family. Bev’s favorite place in the world was in their beautiful backyard garden, lovingly maintained by Mike to bring joy to Bev’s life.  Bev also loved her chimes and put up/took down over 90 of them on the back patio every year.

Bev worked for 25 years at St. Joseph’s Villa, then enjoyed her years as a fitness instructor and Silver Sneakers teacher at multiple locations around Rochester from 1999 through 2019.

Beverly is survived by her loving husband, Mike Heberger, and their dog, Haley; her daughters, Tracy Nalewalski, Wendy Unell (Sean McLaughlin), and Becky (Patrick) Meyers; her sons, Michael G. Heberger and Louis Page; her grandchildren, Daniel (Amanda) Nalewalski, Mollie Meyers, Nicholas Meyers, Katlynn Townsend and Melissa (Bill) Sagin, and her great grandchildren, Lily Nalewalski and Vera, Stella and Ozzy Sagin; her brother, Frank (Roberta) Chichelli; and sister-in-law, Ann Marie Cerza (Cliff). Bev is also survived by a wide and life-long network of many dear friends.

Bev was predeceased by her parents, Pauline Wyffels Potts and Martin Baker; her in-laws, Donald and Ida Heberger, and her son-in-law, Drew Nalewalski.

Beverly’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Brian Yirinec, Barbie and all of the team at the Pluta Cancer Center who were so kind and supportive of her for many years. A special thank you to the staff and volunteers at the Shepherd Home in Penfield who provided kindness and care in Beverly’s final days which allowed Mike to graciously focus on being her husband rather than caregiver during the last two days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, Bev and her family would be appreciative of donations made in her honor to the Pluta Cancer Center (PlutaCancerCenterFoundation.org)

Friends and family are invited to Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home on Thursday, February 22 from 4-7 p.m.  Bev's Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m., St. Charles Borromeo Church.