Anja Mirjami Heller

Anja Mirjiam Heller, of Maitland, FL, died Jan. 17, 2023, at the age of 89 years old. Anja was born on April 26, 1933 in Punkaharju, Finland, where she grew up and went to school. When she was in her 20’s, while working as an au pair for an American family in France, she met the love of her life, John Heller, an Air Force officer, and they spent the next 50+ years together, traveling the world, raising a family of 4 girls, and enjoying life. Anja was the consummate wife and mother – cooking and cleaning (especially cleaning!) were her favorites, as well as taking care of her daughters, and keeping a beautiful home. When the kids were grown, Anja and John embarked on new adventures to Saudi Arabia, and then to their final home together, Merritt Island, FL The Finnish word sisu aptly described Anja – stoic determination and resilience, courage and stubbornness, and as hard of a worker as you have ever seen! Anja could not sit still – relaxing was not in her vocabulary! As Alzheimers slowly took away her mind and memory, she still enjoyed the simple things – something sweet with her coffee and a little bit of singing and dancing. Anja is predeceased by her husband, John Heller, and son-in-law Hal Verity.

She is survived by her sister Leila Nibbler (Stockholm), her brother Erkki Silvennoinen (Stockholm), her daughters Michele (Jon) Mahaffey of Williamsburg, VA, Maryann (Randy)Jacobson of Ramstein, Germany, Monica (Richard) LeTourneau of Casa Grande, AZ, and Margaret Verity of Winter, Park, Fl, and her grandsons Matthew (Dana) Jacobson, of Richmond, VA, Price (Grayson) Verity, of Orlando, FL, Brad Mahaffey of Del Rio, TX, and Nate Jacobson, of Arlington, VA. A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Old Howell Branch Rd, at 10:30 am. Donations may be sent to your local Alzheimer’s Association.