Marilyn "Kay" Schafer (Heacker) born on June 5, 1938 in Los Angeles, CA to Meda "Lois" Keys (Clayton) and Lewis C. Heacker, passed away peacefully on June 27 after a very full life and a valiant battle with cancer. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Max and her brother Lewis Heacker Jr. She is survived by her daughters Cinde Manoel (Mark) Australia and Susan Schafer (Joe) of Carrollton, TX; grandchildren Nicole Schafer, Michael & Max Manoel, Mary Russum; sisters Karen Wise (Gordon), Betty Heacker (Vicki) and Marcia H. Faschingbauer (Tom). She is also survived by brother in law Gene Schafer (Peggy), sister in law Jo Schafer, many cousins, nieces & nephews. Kay graduated from Edgewater High School in Orlando, FL in 1956. In the fall she began North Texas State College (UNT) and pledged Chi Omega sorority. While there, Kay met her college sweetheart Max, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. They shared a love of dancing and made lifelong friends. Max and Kay married in December 1958 and she earned her degree in Education with Honors in 1959. They moved to Ft. Worth where Kay worked for Southwestern Bell as a call center manager. In 1962, Kay and Max moved to Richardson to raise their family. They joined First United Methodist Church Richardson (FUMCR) and their daughters attended Richardson schools. Kay stayed home with the girls and volunteered many hours at church and their elementary school, including serving as PTA President with Max. After both girls were in school, Kay began working as a Pre School teacher at Arapaho Methodist Preschool and later in sales at the Dallas Apparel Mart during seasonal markets. In 1980 she and a college friend, Barbara Sampson, opened their own showroom at the Dallas Apparel Mart, Schafer & Sampson, where they successfully represented children's wear lines until they retired in 2003. Kay served on the Apparel Mart board for several years. After retiring, Kay continued to volunteer, travel and spend more time with her family. Kay loved traveling throughout the US and Europe and spending time at a family home in Santa Fe, NM. Kay came out of retirement to work part time for the Caring Ministries team at FUMCR, finally retiring a second time when she turned 80. Three very important things to Kay were her faith, family and friends. Kay loved the Lord and had an unshakable faith. Her favorite Bible verse was John 15:5. Kay was very active in her church serving in many ways including the Children's Ministry, Stephen's Ministry, Emmaus, Habitat for Humanity and various mission trips including a trip to the Czech Republic. Bible studies, including her "Teeny Tiny Group" that spanned over 30 years, and the Apostle Sunday School class were integral to her life. Kay was treasured by family for the way she had of making everyone feel so special. She was a loving big sister and had a close relationship with all of her siblings. She was active in her children's lives, always supporting them in their pursuits in school and life. She was also very involved in her grandchildren's lives and felt grateful they were growing up close by. Nana taught them to love the arts through plays, musicals, museums and the arboretum. Picnics, beach trips, cooking lessons, holidays and 'Nana breakfasts' will always be treasured memories. Nana and Gramps/Poppy supported their grandchildren in all of their school and extracurricular activities. In addition to their biological grandchildren, many of their grandkid's friends consider Nana their adopted grandmother. Kay enjoyed special lasting friendships with so many people from college, church, her neighborhood, workplaces and the Richardson High School Tri Hi Y group she sponsored in the 70's. She was a rock of support and natural counselor. Kay was also an amazing cook and thousands of delicious meals and lemon squares were homemade with love and delivered to friends, family and strangers over the years. A celebration of her life will be held Monday, July 13, 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church Richardson via livestream www.fumcr.com/live. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to FUMCR, PEO (Chapter EZ Scholarship Fund) or Network of Community Ministries in her memory. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

(214) 306-6700