Ann Heberle

BURLESON -- Ann Heberle passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006, following a long illness. Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church of Burleson. Burial: Laurel Land Memorial Park in Fort Worth. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home in Burleson. Memorials: The family would appreciate memorials in Ann's honor to Keep Burleson Beautiful, in care of Burleson City Hall, 141 W. Renfro St., Burleson, Texas 76028. Born Ann Lois Beauchamp in Aurora, she was inspired at an early age to become a teacher. She attended Texas Wesleyan College, where she met her husband of over 60 years, Dr. James P. Heberle, who passed away in 2003. Ann taught speech and drama in the public schools for 31 years. A longtime Burleson resident, Ann was a very gifted community organizer who never tired of doing good works or giving credit to others. In 1957, soon after moving to Burleson with her family, she was instrumental in forming the Newcomer's Club, whose major project was the establishment of Burleson's first park, Warren Park. She organized the Burleson Beautification Council in 1983, serving as president for 15 years and leading the drive to plant more than 10,000 crape myrtles in Burleson, as well as inspiring the creation of the Burleson ReLeaf Program through which thousands of trees have been planted on highways, streets and in parks and yards. Ann was especially proud of the Seedling for Youth Program which she coordinated to provide seedling trees for every student in the school district. Ann has been honored for her devotion to her community in many ways over the years, including being chosen Burleson Citizen of the Year in 1989, Volunteer of the Year in 1996 and recently receiving the 2006 Byron Black Character Award. In 1988, she was recognized as Volunteer in Texas by the Foresty Council and Texas Forest Service, and in 1999 she was awarded first place in the female volunteer category in the O.P. Schnabel Senior Citizen Awards for Keep Texas Beautiful. Ann treasured her family and her friendships from her church and the many clubs and organizations she belonged to, including Town and Country Garden Club, Eumathian Club and The Woman's Club of Fort Worth. Ann opened many meetings with her favorite quotation that could be the mission statement for her life, "I shall not pass through this world but once. If, therefore, there can be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now; let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Ann will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends. The family would like to express its deep gratitude to home care aides Barbie and Christine and all the therapists at Harris Hospital, Health South, and Broadway Plaza for their loving and dedicated care for Ann. Survivors: Children, Paul Heberle, Kay Heberle and Suzanne Brian; grandchildren, Amber Brian, Aaron Brian, Laura Whipple, Steve Brian, Rob Heberle, Rachel Heberle and Annalisa Jamalainen; and her great-granddaughter, Phoebe Whipple.