Kaitlin E. Hehir

Kaitlin Elizabeth Teresa Hehir, age 29 beloved daughter of Joseph and Mary LaPorte-Hehir and sister of Brian Hehir died tragically on Saturday, February 23, 2013 in Farmington, MI. There will be a gathering of family and friends on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 3- 8 p.m. with a Rosary and Remembrances beginning at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, March 2, Kaitlin will be in repose at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Plymouth, MI beginning at 10 a.m. with a A Mass of the Resurrection to begin at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be Father Steve Matteja, Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Internment will follow immediately after Mass at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville, Michigan. Kaitlin was born on Friday, December 23, 1983 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. She graduated from St. Edith Grade School, Mercy High School in 2002 and from the University of Georgia in 2008. An English Literature and History Major, she loved literature and writing. She was a Georgia “Bull Dog” often rooting her favorite team on to victory. Kaitlin was an excellent student in all of her academic endeavors. She was a member of the National Honor Society at Mercy High School, Co-editor of the school newspaper,'Newsprint' and the magazine , 'The Pulse', and a member of the Quiz Bowl team for all 4 years at Mercy. She was active as the Youth representative to the Parrish Council at St. Kenneth's Church in Plymouth, a Kairos leader ( a faith retreat for high school Juniors and Seniors) and was awarded the Timothy Award for her efforts in youth ministry by the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 2002, Kaitlin wrote a paper based on original research on the history of Plymouth, which earned her the second place Wilcox scholarship award. Kaitlin paid for her tuition at the University of Georgia by working at a number of restaurants including Papa John's, Johnny Carinos,and for the last 4 years of her stay in Georgia, at the the Olive Garden restaurant in Athens where she worked as a cook and advanced to Culinary Assistant. When she returned to Michigan in 2007, she transferred to the Olive Garden in Novi where she worked full time and also worked part-time at the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills. She was later promoted to a full time Deputy Clerk position in the Civil Division at the court and continued to work part time at the restaurant. Everyone who knew her, appreciated how hardworking and reliable she was. Between the two jobs she worked between 60- 65 hours per week. She had decided to pursue a Master's degree in Accounting and was taking courses in preparation for graduate school. Kaitlin had recently purchased a house in Farmington, MI in October, 2012. This was a dream come true for Kaitlin. She worked intensely on making this house her home. Kaitlin loved to cook and bake. She collected cookbooks and loved to read about the cultural aspects of food. She had lots of future plans for the house and garden. Even more than her enthusiasm for the house, she was excited by the thought of finally having land of her own for a garden (she was the granddaughter of a farmer). Since moving in she spent hours planning her garden. Spring could not come soon enough for her. Kaitlin loved Tiger's baseball and had developed a passion for golf. Kaitlin was a lovely, bright, intense woman with a wonderful sense of humor and a heart full of love. Her warm winning smile was how she always greeted all who met her. Family and friends were important to Kaitlin and she loved parties and cooking for them. She was intensely loyal and a loving daughter who would do anything to assist her family. Our hearts are broken by our loss of her. Kaitlin is survived by her parents, her brother and her 8 year old dog, Rose, a beautiful Siberian husky; her grandmother, Regina LaPorte of Grand Ledge, MI, previously of Linwood and Pinconning, MI; her Godparents, John and Julie LaPorte of Grand Rapids, MI; Aunts and uncles, Michael Hehir of Monroe, CT, Ann Lacombe of Lancaster NY, Regina and Gerald Stein of Middleville, MI, Leo and Laurel LaPorte of Lansing, MI and numerous cousins whom she loved dearly. Kaitlin was predeceased by Grandparents, Joseph and Doris Hehir of Tonawanda, NY and Raymond LaPorte of Linwood, MI. Memorial Donations: First Step, Peaceful Families-Safe Communities 44567 Pinetree Drive Plymouth, Michigan 48170 734-416-1111 www.firststep-mi.org Earthwork's Urban Farm, Capuchin Soup Kitchen 1820 Mt. Elliott Detroit,Michigan 48207 www.cskdetroit.org