Obituary of Frances Ann Heaney

EAST CHATHAM – Frances Ann Heaney, 75, of East Chatham, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2023, at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland, New York. The daughter of the late John F. (Jack) Heaney, Jr., and Sarah (Sally) Heaney, Frances (Fran, Frannie) was born on October 11, 1947, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Fran was raised in Bath, Maine while her father was a US Navy draftsman, and later lived in Arlington and Milton, Massachusetts. After graduating from Milton Highschool, she received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and a MA in Education from Harvard University. As an adult, Fran’s employment history included: Graphics Designer and Courtroom Artist, WNBC and WPIX, New York, NY; Art Director of CNN, Atlanta, GA; Creative Director, WTBS/Turner Classic Movies, Atlanta, GA; Creative Director, FOX, New York, NY; Design Director, TVFood Network; Creative Director/Manager, QVC, West Chester, PA; Art Teacher, The Alternative High School/Hudson, NY School District. Fran was previously a Board Member/President, Columbia County Council on the Arts and Publicity Chair of The Garden Club of Kinderhook, NY. A lifelong accomplished artist and an avid plein air painter, Frannie organized painting events at The Olana Historic site and elsewhere. From 2003-2015, she authored her weekly Red/Spencertown column for the Chatham (NY) Courier covering the arts, culture, gardening and people of Columbia County. She always ended by saying “Thank you for reading my column.” She was respected for her generosity, knowledge and professionalism. Throughout her life, Fran was known and loved, for her tendency to burst into song and for her sense of humor. Her last words were "Please change the channel." Survivors include her pal of 40 years, James Christe, as well as many loyal friends and neighbors. Cremation took place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. A memorial service will be performed in the future at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington, Massachusetts. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with her circle at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com.