Birth date: Dec 20, 1942 Death date: May 3, 2024
OBITUARY Michael Heffernan, Man of Letters 1942-2024 The poet Michael Heffernan has died. He was 81 years old. Attended by family, he was briefly in the care of Circle of Life Hospice, in Springdale, Arkansas. Dr. Heffernan suffe Read Obituary
Michael / Heff, as I alternately called him, was my creative writing professor at PSU. I was older and in graduate school. Heff taught poetry, and writing, and life. There was an occasional brew at The Friendly. When I became a secondary teacher, we visited about daffodils. I took my high school kids to hear him speak in Wichita.
I had tremendous respect and admiration for him, and I am saddened to learn of his death.
Michael was a writing mentor and friend to me. We shared many wild conversations and laughs during my years living in Fayetteville. His poetry is beyond compare. It takes one to places in time and deep in the mind. His knowledge and memory of history and literature always blew my mind. I will always remember dear Michael for his keen mind and humor, and big loving heart. Rest In Peace, dear Michael.
Heff, as I knew him, was a caring and attentive teacher who was notoriously giving and generous with his time. Every few weeks we would meet at Rick's Iron Skillet for breakfast on Saturday mornings. He would never let me pay, not even for myself.
My wife never met him, but she quotes his poem Puttanesca often in our kitchen.
Heff was incredibly kind and my life was forever enriched by coming in contact with his.
I knew Michael as my older cousin growing up in Detroit, Mi. He was dashing, funny, handsome and always full of energy when I would be visiting his family home on Morrell St. The neighborhood, Holy Redeemer Church and the cute little stores we would walk up to when I was staying with his family are still a strong memory for me. His mother and father were so proud of him and his beautiful sister Anne was the perfect counterbalance for his wit, story telling, and sometimes teasing! They were a wonderful family and I loved visiting them as well as when they would come to our house. My mother, Mary Conley, followed his career and his prolific writing and would often keep me up to date on what he had been doing, publishing, travels, etc. Now, as I read some of the articles about him over the years I realize what a treasure he was and how his family must miss him. I had not seen him in many years, but I remember him like we visited yesterday. I will be able to keep his memory alive by perusing his books and studying his observations of our beloved Ireland. From cousin Carol Conley Domino. ( Still in Michigan..)
It will soon be 65 years since I enjoyed being in classes and activities with Mike at UD Jesuit. He was a person I always enjoyed speaking with, having lunch together, and attending activities at the HI with him. My wife and I visited Fayetteville a few years back and can picture his beautiful surroundings and the University campus. Thank you, Mike, for making our world shine brightly with your literary stars. (George Wright, UofD Hi '60 -- still living in Michigan)
