Veronica Heppel

Veronica Mary Heppel, age 84 of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday September 5, 2019.

Also known as Ronnie, Aunt Bonnie, “Gloria” and Granny, she was born in NYC and grew up in the Bronx. Ronnie worked for the telephone company and after marrying her husband of 63 years, George, they moved to New Jersey where they bought a house and called Wayne, NJ home. She went on to work as an office manager for a dental office in Pompton Lakes where she made lifelong friends with her boss Dr. Louis Lees and her co-workers Melory and Patty as well as many patients that knew of her as “The Boss” of the office.

Ronnie was a devoted mother to her sons George and Eric and loved them fiercely. She supported them in all endeavors and was forever their number one fan. Anyone that knew Ronnie knew that her boys were everything to her. Until…her grandson Ryan was born and they both took a backseat. Ryan and Granny were pals and regularly went on dates. Their favorite spots were Steak and Ale and Pizza Man. She attended Ryan’s football games and high school graduation as well as driving to South Carolina to watch him graduate USMC bootcamp. She recently attended his PCSD pinning ceremony where she sat beaming with pride. Eric thrilled her once again when he gave her a beautiful granddaughter, Bera. Ronnie loved shopping for outfits and girly things for Bera. She also enjoyed sharing dinners, holidays and attending Bera’s birthday parties. She was a VERY proud Granny.

Ronnie loved to socialize and adored spending time with her niece Sharon (also known as her “person”). They would get their nails done and were always seeking out cool new places to try for lunch. She also loved to drive to Bayside Queens to spend time with her longtime friend Millie Farrell and her beautiful family. Ronnie had a loving friendship with her daughter in law Geri whom she referred to as the daughter she never had. The feeling was mutual.

Ronnie was a loving, kind, and extremely generous friend to many. If I was asked to summarize her I would have to include funny, direct, could NOT pronounce the word meatball (meatuhball), the life of the party, always turning down the a/c, a coffee and tea lover made even better with story telling and catching up and cookies, a Catholic, strong willed, hard working, notorious for letting whatever fly out of her mouth. She loved animals, Elvis, being Irish, a good martini, the game show channel, her family (including the furry ones), her friends, and all things potato. Not only did Ronnie love generously, she was loved back too. She was a larger than life presence that will be sorely missed.

Veronica is survived by her beloved husband George, her son George Heppel, Jr. and daughter in law Geri of Wayne, her beautiful grandchildren Ryan Heppel of Wayne and Bera Heppel of Fair Lawn, her niece Patricia Bischoff and her husband Mike Bischoff of Manahawkin, and her honorary son Mike Stubbington of Portsmouth, England. She was predeceased by her loving son Eric Heppel this past April 2019, her four dear brothers Joseph, William, Bernard, and John Flanagan, and her dear nephew John Patrick Flanagan.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Veronica’s name are asked to consider the Alan Purcell Wayne Township Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne, NJ 07470