Lori Ann Heil, 53, of Augusta, Maine, died suddenly, but peacefully, December 23, at MaineGeneral Medical Center. She was surrounded by her family, her boyfriend, and a few close friends. She was born August 25, 1962, in Bridgeport.

The family later moved to Newtown, where she was raised as the youngest of seven children, and attended Newtown High School, Class of 1981.

During those years, Ms Heil participated in Brownies and Girl Scouts. She was a three-year member of the Newtown Striders Drum Corps, where she played the glockenspiel. She was also a member of the Royal Guardsman and Color Guard, as a flagsman.

In 1984, she moved to Maine with her big sister, Cathy, and tried her hand working in the wood business. Splitting, hauling, and delivering wood was hard work. From there she spent a 20-year career with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Division, first as the kitchen cook, and later as a food service director with Aramark Correctional Services. Everyone who knew her, knew how much she loved to cook. She also worked as a corrections officer, and as a loan officer at CAFCU in Augusta, for a time. She worked at Lufthansa, in Lewiston, and also a brief time at Redlon and Johnson, in Augusta. During that time, Ms Heil was diagnosed with a rare muscle disorder called polymyositis, and had to give up working.

She always made her presence known, as a strong, spunky, full of life, loving, and compassionate woman. She was always willing to help others in their time of need. Ms Heil possessed determination and perseverance to be the best at whatever she did, and she was always so meticulous about it.

She enjoyed spending time cooking and laughing with family and friends, traveling, and crafts, and was an avid reader. She even tried playing Disc Golf with her boyfriend, Michael, and had gotten pretty good at it. She was a total crossword puzzle geek. She was an “excellent artist,” but always her worst critic. 

Although Ms Heil had no children she shared 18 years of her life with her beloved dog “Tobey Chow Maine,” a sweet little dog from Kennebec Valley Humane Society, and always said “he picked me to rescue him.”

Six brothers and sisters, Linda Decker and Barbara Heil of Augusta, Maine, Alan Heil of Sunnyvale, Calif., Catherine Heil-LaPointe, and her spouse Frances LaPointe of South China, Maine, Robert Heil, and spouse Debi, of Ocala, Fla., and William Heil of Hollywood, Fla.; and her significant other, Michael Morley of Maine; and four nieces and nephews survive Ms Heil. Her father Robert P. Heil, and her mother Elizabeth “Betty” M. Heil, predeceased her.

A celebration of life will be held at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1 Church Street, Augusta, Maine, on Saturday, January 9, at 2 pm.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made in loving memory of Lori A. Heil, to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta ME 04330.

Online condolences may be offered at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.