Joan Kathryn (Grant) Heye's Obituary
Joan Kathryn Grant Heye passed away on June 18, 2023 in Plano TX surrounded by her family after an heroic struggle against cancer. Beloved wife, Mom to four children, and “Nana” to eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter, Joan epitomized the wise, humble, self-sacrificing, tireless, and productive wife and mother described in Proverbs 31.
Joan was born February 22, 1938 in Corpus Christi TX to Lee and Kathryn Grant. Raised in San Antonio TX, Joan attended St. Peter’s Catholic School, Providence High School, and Incarnate Word College.
Joan met the love of her life, Bill Heye, during their freshman year of high school. On July 25, 1959 they married and four children soon followed. After Bill’s service in the US Air Force and graduate school, they settled in Richardson TX. From this home base, Joan and Bill chose the adventurous path and accepted overseas responsibilities with Texas Instruments in Taiwan and Japan. During residence overseas, the family took trips to Thailand, the Philippines, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore. These Far East adventures would have lasting powerful impacts on the family.
The family returned to the United States permanently in 1979. Joan spent countless hours volunteering in the PTA and the JJ Pearce Booster Club. One of her most inspired ideas was to host a “Casino Night” for high school seniors on graduation night. She was also a member of the Canyon Creek North Garden Club and the Footnotes Book Club.
Joan’s deep relationship with Texas A&M began in the Fall of 1956 when Bill started there. As the years progressed, each of their four children would also attend Aggieland, and she would host many pre-game tailgate lunches. Joan and Bill were selected as Aggie Parents of The Year in 1987. Her Aggie legacy continues to this day with many of her grandchildren attending A&M.
Still pursuing new adventures, Joan and Bill moved to Menlo Park CA in late 1989, arriving on the day of the infamous Loma Prieta earthquake. When the moving truck driver called that day to ask if the move was still on, Joan readily assured him it was. She rapidly made new friends and passionately served the community through the Allied Arts Guild, supporting chronically ill and physically challenged children at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford.
Joan was predeceased by her parents, Lee and Kathryn Grant. She is survived by her husband of over 63 years, William B. Heye, Jr., and by her children and their families: William Heye III and Marina Heye (Sophia Heye, Juliet Heye, and Sasha Heye); Patrick Heye and Brigette Heye (Dylan Heye and wife Kristen Heye, Keegan Green-Heye and husband Alexander Green-Ortiz); Kathryn Heye Ross and Jack Ross (Mark Ross, Megan Bradshaw and husband Garrett Bradshaw and great granddaughter Blair); John Heye and Lynn Heye (Hunter Pollard, Grant Heye, Jake Heye, and Lexi Heye). Joan is also survived by her sister, Shirlie Kaats and husband Gil Kaats, by her brother Lee Grant and wife Martha Grant, and nineteen affectionate nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be in San Antonio at Porter Loring Chapel (2102 N 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232) on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 5-7 PM. Funeral Services will be in San Antonio at St Peter Prince of The Apostles Catholic Church (111 Barilla Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209) on Monday, June 26, 2023 at 11 AM.
A Celebration of Life for Joan will take place on Thursday, July 13, 2023, from 2-5pm, at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave, in Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the cause championed by Joan so many years in California — the Lucile Packard Foundation supporting Children’s Health at Stanford Medicine.
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