Obituary of Nellie (Helen) Christine Heiman

It is with great sadness that the family of Nellie (Helen) Christine Heiman, loving wife and mother of three children, share that she passed away at the early age of 63 after a long and courageous battle with cancer on May 4th, 2020. Nellie will be forever remembered by her husband and best friend Karl, her precious children Ross, Paul, and Monica; her sister Sally, her mother Ann Hendricks, her daughter in-law Tracey, and two grandchildren Ethan and Autumn. Nellie will also be fondly remembered by her cousins, nieces, nephews and her many dear friends. Nellie was born on December 16, 1956 in Minot, North Dakota where she only spent the first 6 months of her life before moving to California permanently. In May of 1979, Nellie married Karl Heiman in Ben Lomond, CA and together built a beautiful home and family in Los Gatos and Santa Cruz. Later in life, Nellie attended San Jose State University and received a bachelor's degree to become a 2nd grade school teacher. Nellie had a passion for living life to the fullest by embracing the aloha spirit, she cherished every moment with her family and friends both at home in Santa Cruz, and at her lake house in Pine Mountain Lake. She loved nature, reading, mountain bike riding, hiking, bird watching, and water coloring. Her beautiful water color paintings of various flowers and birds were admired by all. She loved to cook and bake, especially for her close family and friends. She was an avid piano player and enjoyed learning the violin, loved to dance, and even taught Jazzercise while raising her three children. Nellie will be fondly remembered for her love of life, her quick wit, her infectious smile, and being a very kind and compassionate spirit. Nellie was preceded in death by her father, Joseph. She is survived by her husband Karl, her mother Ann, her sister Sally and her three children, Ross, Paul, and Monica.