Barbara Heiligmann

Barbara L. (Bent) Heiligmann of Meredith, NH passed away peacefully January 3rd, 2020.

Born in Waltham, MA in 1920 to Myrtle O. Morehouse Bent & Clarence A. Bent, Barbara lived to witness a Century of history in this year, 2020!

Brought up in Waltham, MA, Barbara graduated from Waltham High School in 1938. She loved all sports and was voted "Most Athletic" by her peers. She held a long-standing H.S. Basketball Record and was a Pro-Bowler in her later years, competing on TV's "Candlepins for Cash." (She won many trophies and Cash!)

After High School, Barbara attended Bryant & Stratton Business School in Boston where she met her future husband, William "Bill" Heiligmann at a YMCA dance. Barbara & Bill were living in the era of "Swing" and they loved dancing, winning a number of "Jitter Bug" contests on the dance floor at Nutting's on the Charles in Waltham, MA.

Married in 1942, their early married life was caught-up in the middle of WWII which took Bill to the West Coast where he signed on to serve in the US Army Air Force. Barbara travelled with her husband, working any position available in the Base Office to remain near him. She reveled in their travels, "adventures" and "mis-adventures" as they drove cross-country in Bill's sporty 2-door Model-A Ford, East Coast to West Coast and back again, on "leave" to see family.

By 1945 Bill's Army service ended and they returned home, living 1st in his home-town of Cambridge, MA, then Littleton, MA and finally Acton, MA where they settled for 20+ years; raised their 3 children and, where Bill took ownership of "Colonial Motors" in Concord, MA. Barbara was the business Book keeper & Office Manager. It was at this time that Bill, introduced Barbara to his motorcycle riding passion. True to form-Barbara followed-riding her own "bike", a BMW and proceeding to enter and win the "Gypsy Tour Queen" at Gunstock Mountain, where the women's competition involved a balancing ride on a plank; barrel weaving etc. She won a 3ft. high trophy!

Upon retirement, in the late 1960's, Bill & Barbara moved to their camp on Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, NH and spent winters at their home in Wildwood, FL. They remained ever active in the sports of golf, tennis, bowling, swimming and waterskiing competitions! (Barbara and her daughter, Beverly, were the only winning Mother/Daughter Team to compete in the Lake Winnipesaukee water skiing competitions in the 60's!)

Barbara loved everyone she met and loved sports-she was loved equally in return. She was as sweet as the candy M & M's she always had on hand to share-kind, positive and playful!

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will All remember her for the games she played with them-any day or any time of day.

Without doubt her greatest legacy is her loving spirit and positive, happy energy which she shared so enthusiastically. It was infectious!

In addition to her husband, William M. Heiligmann, Jr. who passed away on June 30, 1997, Barbara was predeceased by both of her siblings, Clarence Bent Jr. of Waltham, MA, and Hannah Catherine (Bent) Houston of Delaware.

She is survived by her 3 grown children-Barbara Page of Chiefland, FL; Beverly LaFoley & her partner Dr. Rodney Burdette of Center Harbor & Portsmouth, NH; Wayne Heiligmann and his wife, Maureen Pembroke Heiligmann of Meredith, NH and was predeceased by and son-in-law, Robert Page in 1992.

She was "Nanni" to 7 grandchildren, Rebecca (Page) Pitts of FL; Derek Page of GA; Jessica LaFoley Nathan of RI; M. Brent LaFoley of AZ; J. Ryan LaFoley of MT; Corey Giroux of NH; Michael Heiligmann of CT; James Pembroke (Step grandchild) of NH and predeceased by grandson, Martin-John LaFoley (NH) in 1992.

And "Great Nanni" 12 Great Grandchildren & 2 step-grandchildren: Tyler Pitts (Page) of FL; Caleb & Lucas Page of GA; Justin-Martin LaFoley, Spencer LaFoley & Marina LaFoley of AZ; Effie Nathan & Fischer Nathan of RI; Francie, Martin & Iris LaFoley of MT; Brody Heiligmann of CT and 2 step-great grandchildren, Gavin & Evan Pembroke of NH.

No public services will be held at this time. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Boscawen. To view Barbara's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.