Mary Alice Heckman's Obituary
Mary Alice Heckman, lovingly known as “Mam” to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 26, 2025, in Plano, Texas, at the age of 71.
Mary Alice was born Mary Alice McLean on July 29, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, to Billy Bob McLean and Cora Alice Guenther McLean. She grew up in Dallas and carried her deep Texas roots with her throughout her life. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors in May 1976.
Before starting her family, Mary Alice taught high school History and Latin in both the San Antonio and Dallas areas, where her passion for education and young people shined. After marrying Glen Wayne Heckman on June 25, 1977, she devoted herself to raising their two sons, Garrett and Gavin. Mary Alice poured her heart into being a mother—driving to extracurriculars, volunteering at school, and always welcoming her sons' friends with freshly baked cookies or brownies.
A natural nurturer, Mary Alice found joy in gardening, baking, and serving others. For many years, she and her mother volunteered every Wednesday at the White Rock Center of Hope, a tradition she cherished deeply. More recently, she served as the Dallas Recruitment Chair of the Dallas Area Alpha Chi Omega Alumnae, Beta Kappa Beta Chapter, continuing her lifelong commitment to community and sisterhood. Mary Alice was also a faithful member of the Lake Highlands Women's League since 1997, and their Lake Highlands home was featured in the 1993 Home Tour.
Mary Alice is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Glen Heckman of Plano; her sons, Garrett Heckman and wife Samantha of Palm Desert, California, and Gavin Heckman and wife Melissa of Plano, Texas; and her beloved grandchildren, Margaret, Hayden, Callum, and Emerson. She also leaves behind her mother, Cora Alice Guenther McLean; her brother, Robert McLean and wife Sharon of Omaha, Nebraska; her sister, Linda Caley and husband Mark of San Antonio, Texas; and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Billy Bob McLean.
A funeral service celebrating Mary Alice’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM, followed by the service at 10:30 AM, and burial at 11:30 AM.
Mary Alice’s legacy of love, warmth, and generosity lives on in all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
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