Mary Winston Collopy Heiderstadt

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Mary Winston Collopy Heiderstadt, age 72, on March 11, 2025. Mary was born March 10, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois to Mary Jane and Francis Collopy. The eldest of eight children, Mary grew up in Broomfield, Colorado where the family settled in 1958. She attended St. Louis Catholic School in nearby Louisville through third grade before enrolling in Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School in its inaugural year. She attended Cathedral High School in downtown Denver, graduating in 1971. Having dreamed of being a teacher since she was a small child, Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Metropolitan State College and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Northern Colorado University through Mesa State College. Mary was particularly gifted working with children with severe disabilities. As a young teenager she worked at Bal Swan Children’s Center, Broomfield, and Hope Center for Children, Denver, before pursuing a career in Special Education at The State Home, Grand Junction. On July 12, 1986, Mary married Robert G. Heiderstadt. They eventually moved to Strasburg, Colorado, where they raised nine children, before finally settling in Houston, Texas. Mary never stopped being a teacher, not only to her own children but to those in her community as a substitute teacher, classroom assistant and tutor. Mary was a deeply religious person, with a special devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Saints. She also had a profound interest in Biblical Studies, completing a four-year study course at The Denver Catholic Biblical School. Mary was a gentle soul. She was incredibly smart and had a terrific sense of humor. She was one of those rare individuals who genuinely enjoyed poking fun at herself. Mary was extraordinarily curious: curious about people, about ideas, about the Arts, and about other cultures. She lived a life of faith and family and service to others. Mary will be deeply missed by her friends and family. Mary is survived by her husband of nearly 39 years, Bob, and eight of her nine children: Slava, Myra, Anne Marie, Margaret, Mark, Sarah (Alex Rehman), Donald and Daniel. Mary is also survived by her siblings: Eileen, Jeanne (Chris Koenigs), Dan (Rosemary), Anne (Fred Adler), Joan and Sue. Mary is preceded in death by her son Misha Heiderstadt, her parents Frank and Mary Jane Collopy, and her sister Kathleen Collopy Labor. The Mass of the Resurrection for Mary will be celebrated on Monday, March 24th at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady Walsingham (Houston, Texas). The Rosary will be said at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Amazing Place Houston (amazingplacehouston.org).

Mary Winston Collopy Heiderstadt

March 10, 1953 - March 11, 2025