Dorothy Heines

Mother and wife, Dorothy E. Heines, passed away on October 2, 2022, at the age of 78, after a hard-fought battle with cancer and heart disease. After a brief stay in the hospital, Dorothy fought hard until she found her way home into the arms of her loving children and grandchildren, where she peacefully passed back into the arms of her late husband, Patrick Heines.

Dorothy was a woman who devoted her life to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her life revolved around their happiness and safety. She worked as a business office manager for a medical oncology group for 14 years where she adored her patients and grew to love and care for them as if they were her own. Dorothy was a devout Catholic and believed to her core that faith in God would always lead to a righteous outcome regardless of the path.

Her children’s greatest memories of Dorothy are many, but a few stand out. Dorothy absolutely adored Barbara Streisand. As a family of six growing up, we spent Saturday mornings doing chores where the whole family worked, played, and listened to the sounds of Barbara filling the home. Her absolute favorite time of the year was Mardi Gras. Being a native of New Orleans, LA, Dorothy knew the definition of a good time. We spent every year as a family on Napoleon Avenue waiting anxiously for Elks and Rex while passing the time eating and drinking and visiting aunts, uncles, and cousins in the city. Dorothy was also a fantastic dancer who spent her childhood in dancing tournaments. She passed on that gift to a lucky few of her kids and grandkids who knew full well where the gift arose. Dorothy was a fantastic cook and every holiday season the kids and grandkids looked forward to what would be a phenomenal New Orleans-inspired feast. Dorothy also loved her flower garden. She spent every Spring planting a beautiful array of flowers around her home which still spring up to this day.

Dorothy met the love of her life, Patrick, in New Orleans in 1969. They spent 51 years loving each other completely through good times and bad. They passed down the value of commitment, respect, and loyalty to their children and it remains embedded in them to this day.

Dorothy is survived by her two daughters, Michelle Monk and Rebecca Shoemaker; two stepdaughters; Celeste Miller and Bonnie Finnie, one son, Louis Heinsz. She is also survived by a wonderful pair of sons-in-law, Ronnie Monk and Kevin Shoemaker; and a daughter-in-law, Sandy Heinsz. She is also survived by her best dog, Ruby, who lay by her side in her final moments.

Dorothy chose to have her family enjoy an intimate celebration of life at her home where her children and grandchildren will eat, listen to her favorite music, and remember the good times because there were many. We love you, Mom. Give Dad, Jeremy, Tapp, and Mawmaw and Pawpaw the biggest hugs and kisses.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, MS, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.