Linda Tanabe Heifets, a successful businesswoman and loving matriarch of her family, passed away at home on May 7, 2012, in Denver after a 14-year battle with cancer.
Rabbi Bruce Dollin and Cantor Martin Goldstein officiated at the May 9 graveside service at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Shalom Funeral Service made the arrangements.
Lindas significance cannot be overstated, the family said. Whether acting as employee, volunteer, confidant, seamstress or the calming, compassionate member of her otherwise rambunctious family, her influence was always evident.
Her kindness and ability to bring a smile to the face of anyone with whom she came into contact epitomized her life. The grace she exhibited was never more apparent than during her 14-year battle with cancer.
Her passing will remain one of the few ordinary things about this otherwise extraordinary person.
Mrs. Heifets was born Sept. 17, 1951, in the small rural town of Wiggins, Colo. She was the second oldest of eight siblings born to Jim and Mary Tanabe. As the oldest daughter of a farming family, she assumed the role of second mother to her younger siblings.
After graduating from Wiggins High School in 1969, Mrs. Heifets moved to Denver and started her career in investment managements with the First National Bank of Denvers trust department. There she met JoAnn Nearents, Rita Koch-Day and Janet Morris, with whom she developed lifelong friendships.
At the suggestion of Nearents, Mrs. Heifets was introduced to Pete Nelson and in 1978 she joined him at First Trust Corporation, where she served as VP of Operations.
In 1983, Mrs. Heifets and Nelson joined the advisory firm of Nelson, Benson and Zellmer, where they worked together until they founded Peneco Investments in 1997. She served as executive VP of Peneco until her illness took a fatal turn two months ago.
She married Herman Heifets in 1985 and became very active in their daughters schooling at DAT.
A close friend of the late Jack Goldman, Mrs. Heifets was a devoted member of the HEAs Yom HaShoah Committee.
Mrs. Heifets is survived by her husband Herman Heifets; daughters Sarah and Abby; siblings Rod, Steve, Jan, Carol, Kathy, Robert and David; and her mother Mary.
Contributions may be made to the HEA Yom HaShoah Committee or DAT.
Copyright © 2012 by the Intermountain Jewish News
