Mary Antonia Heilman

Mary Antonia “Toni” Heilman passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of generosity, industry, gratitude and love.

Toni was an exemplary woman of unwavering faith. Always grateful for even the smallest things, an oft-repeated phrase of hers was, “Heavenly Father is so good to me.” She loved people and made friends everywhere she went. Her friendships spanned all the ages, from little children to teenagers to people her own age and everything in between. Many friends will remember the Nativity scavenger hunts in her home that she organized at Christmas-time for families. Many babies started their lives with blankets that Toni crocheted and donated to the Relief Society to distribute. As recently as two months before her passing, newborn twin babies received blankets crocheted by Toni.

Toni worked hard to develop many talents throughout her life. She began her career as a nurse, devoted years in service as a Catholic nun, was later a professor of Nursing at the University of Arizona, and, after earning a PhD in Instructional Science, worked for both the Air Force and the FAA. Throughout each endeavor she collected life-long friends whose friendships she treasured and carried with her through her time spent living in Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma and Arizona.

January 1, 1977 was a day she celebrated for the rest of her life. This date, the day of her baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was preceded and followed by love and fellowship from many friends in her Tucson congregation.

Toni spent years working in the children’s Primary organization of the church, teaching and loving the smallest members of the church. Her talent at the piano and organ blessed every LDS ward and senior living community she called home—whether she was testing residents with 'Name That Tune,' providing dinner music, or playing sacred hymns for worship services. Toni devotedly wrote letters to missionaries and those who needed comfort and cheer. She was an avid temple patron and temple worker. Family history was a passion of hers. She worked countless hours helping others find information about their ancestors in her home office which she called a small branch of the Family History Center. She was always eager to share her testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Toni was excited to see what God had in store for her in the next life. She was not afraid of the future. She kept handy two notecards, one full of things she was grateful for and one full of people she was praying for. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a blessing to the many who loved her.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, August 20 at 9am at the Maplewood chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3775 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85297.