Mary Heller, 73, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at her home in Acton surrounded by her husband and three daughters. She was born on April 6, 1943 in Irvington, New Jersey, the daughter of Mary and Fred Mitchell. She was united in marriage to James Heller on August 21, 1965 in Irvington, New Jersey. They were married for over 50 years. Mary graduated from Irvington High School and Fairleigh Dickinson University. She completed a Masters Degree in Education at the University of Illinois. She enjoyed working with children in the Acton public school system for many years. She loved learning about her Irish heritage and traveling to Ireland with her husband to visit the area where her mother was born and raised. Mrs. Heller was a long time member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton. She is survived by her husband, James, children, Beth, Kate and Carolyn, and seven grandchildren. Mary and her husband both retired when their first grandchild was born and have been devoting their time to them ever since. No formal services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd at 164 Newtown Road in Acton, MA 01720. Arrangements are under the care of the Dee Funeral Home of Concord. To share a remembrance or to send a condolence in her online guestbook, please visit www.deefuneralhome. com.