Shirley Hecklin

Shirley Ruth Hecklin (nee Goldberg) passed away on May 27, 2021 after a courageous three-month battle with COVID-19 that showed all of us her tremendous inner strength and determination. Shirley was born December 31, 1936 to Abraham Jacob Goldberg and Alice Goldberg (nee Whiser) in New Orleans. She grew up and attended Fortier High School and Louisiana State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. She met her future husband, Oscar Bernard (O.B) Hecklin, on a blind date; he was doing his orthopaedic residency in New Orleans. They were married in 1962 and moved to Wyncote, outside of Philadelphia, where O. B. joined a thriving orthopaedic practice as a surgeon. Shirley was predeceased by her husband O.B. in 1991, and by her son Lawrence (Larry) Evan (Mindi) earlier this year. She is survived by her daughter Brenda Suzanne and her brother Myron Saul Goldberg (Marcie). She treasured her two grandsons, Jacob Andrew Hecklin and Joshua David Hecklin. Shirley had an engaging, warm smile and always a kind word. She was proud of her Southern Jewish roots. She loved when her drawl was recognized and acknowledged and enjoyed her grits as a girl raised in the South. Shirley's musical talent brought joy to her family, friends and community. She performed piano for many years and was a beloved teacher. She was known to accompany her daughter Brenda, a classically trained singer, at home and at outside events. She is now an angel in heaven watching over us, in the arms of her beloved husband, O.B., and reunited with her son, Larry. She will be missed forever-and always in our hearts. Contributions in Shirley's memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 555 Croton Road, Ste. 1111, King of Prussia, PA 19406, www.jdrf.org or Magen David Adom, www.afmda.org, or to a charity of the donor's choice. www.goldsteinsfuneral.com.