Judith Ann Heesch

Judith Ann Heesch, 85, died on July 3, 2024 at E.W. Lucille Cates Hospice House in Ocala, FL. She was born January 21, 1939 in Hartford, CT and was the daughter of the late Donald and Connie (Rizzo) Melillo. Judie moved to Miami when she was a young girl. She graduated from Miami High School. After she got married, Judie and her late ex-husband moved to Ocala. She retired from Florida Power Corporation and Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council.  Judie and Herb Heesch met and later married November 1975 at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church of Ocala. Both eventually built and made their home in Dunnellon. Once there, they became parishioners of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Judie was active with the Alter and Rosary Society and both she and her husband participated with the choir at the Sunday, ten thirty Mass.   After some 40 years in Dunnellon, they both moved to Canterfield of Ocala.

Judie is preceded in death by her brother, Anthony Melillo.

Those left to cherish her memories are her husband of forty eight years, Herb Heesch, Ocala, FL; her sons, Michael Downes, Anthony Downes and Stephen Downes, all of Dunnellon; her stepdaughter, Mara (Heesch) Harrington, Virginia and stepson, Klaus Heesch, New Jersey and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dunnellon. Judie's family will be receiving relatives and friends one hour prior to service time for a public viewing in the church. There will be repast meal in the hall following the Mass. Committal services will be held on the same day at 2:00 PM at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens in Ocala, FL.