Barbara Ann Heckathorn

Barbara Ann Bruce “Bobbie” Heckathorn

Bobbie Heckathorn, 90, a retired parenting educator and community volunteer, died at home on July 31, 2026 after living with Alzheimer's for over 10 years. Robbed of her memories and independence, she maintained her intelligence, sense of humor, and zest for life until the end.

Bobbie was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi on October 24, 1935, to Ethel Crawford and James Bruce. As a young girl, her father’s work with the Corp of Engineers brought the family to Dallas, Texas, where she and her sister Jean grew up on Skillman Street. The house was four doors down from Lipscomb Elementary, where she delighted in walking home every day for lunch. Her youth was shaped by the frugality and sense of service WWII inspired. Energetic and playful, she spent many weekends camping, fishing and water skiing on Lake Texoma and throughout the southwest.

In Elementary school her mother gave her the gift of Girl Scouting, both an identity and a passion she cultivated her entire life. By high school she was certified in swimming, life-guarding, water safety, and watercraft operations. She received First Class Honors, and was selected to represent Dallas and the state of Texas at Regional and National Conferences while still a student at Woodrow Wilson High School.

When Bobbie first walked into Woodrow for orientation, she was shown the tennis courts. She ran home from that meeting and told her father, “They let girls play tennis!” Her father went to the closet, pulled out two rackets and a net, and taught her to play. By her graduation in 1953, she was Captain of the team and a champion player. A natural athlete who could play any sport, tennis was her passion for the next 70 years. She played on teams in Grand Prairie, Dallas, Fort Worth, and at the Arlington Tennis Center, always maintaining her competitive edge while building life-long friendships.

Bobbie attended North Texas State College, earning her BA in Sociology in 1957. While she liked college, she would also admit that she was no honors student. A peek at one semester’s report card noted her single A grade in…horseback riding. Nonetheless, she persisted through her slow reading and late-night paper-writing to be honored as one of 34 students named Who’s Who on campus. She also was a member of the Green Jackets Service Organization and Psi Chi. Her degree was the embodiment of her belief that a deep understanding of human behavior and social change could help everyone grow and improve in life.

After college, Bobbie moved to Houston, Texas to work for the Girl Scouts. In the 1960s, she worked to diversify its programming and bring opportunities to girls in underserved areas. Here, when segregation was still rampant, her devotion to equal opportunity for all, regardless of race or gender, was put into practice. She would pick up her lunch at the kitchen door of restaurants because her coworkers could not sit at the lunch counter. She lifeguarded at pools where others refused, so that all children could have the opportunity to swim.

When she stopped working to raise her family, she continued this vitally important work as a volunteer. She held essentially every position one could in the Girl Scout movement through 40 years of volunteering, ranging from Troop leader all the way to President of the Board of Directors of Circle T Council from 1984 to 1991. She led efforts that raised millions of dollars to support the empowerment of girls and to maintain Camps Timberlake and Stevens Ranch. Her devotion to scouting led the council to create in her honor The Bobbie Heckathorn Cookie Sale Award, given annually to an outstanding fundraising volunteer. She was the recipient of the Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II, the highest national awards presented to an adult Girl Scout, which recognize exemplary service benefiting the entire Girl Scout movement.

While a vibrant community leader, Bobbie also raised a family. Having met in college, Bobbie married Ben Heckathorn, her husband for over 20 years, in 1962. They shared a love of the outdoors, playing sports, racing cars, cheering on their teams, and supporting each other’s careers. They chose the uniquely wonderful Nottingham Neighborhood of Grand Prairie to raise their 3 children. There, Bobbie was active in Nottingham Neighbors, the Garden Club, Bridge Club, PTA, and the expansion committee for CP Waggoner Park. Additionally, the family was active at New World UMC in Arlington, where Bobbie served in many capacities.

Bobbie was an exceptional mother–a job she approached with both knowledge and joy. She would laugh with you when things were funny, she would laugh at you if you needed to be a bit more self-aware, and she would agonize with you over each injustice inflicted on you, or others, that brought pain. She knew kids needed structure and freedom both. She taught us manners, the value of hard work, the importance of empathy, and how to play tennis. She also knew kids needed fun and whimsy, and she cheered on our many backyard skits and plays, hosted countless tea parties, and was “The Cool Mom” whose house was where kids would congregate. She supported our diverse interests in sports, clubs, arts, and school with enthusiasm.

When her children were older she began working for the Parenting Guidance Center where countless families benefited from her educational programs. She blended her work and volunteer life seamlessly, helping numerous charities, civic groups and ISDs. She was a mediator for Dispute Resolution Services, counselor for Contact Telecare, and served the Handicapped Resource Association, Arlington Life Shelter, Children First, Camp Fire, and the Botanical Research Institute. The Arlington business sector recognized her impact on the community and invited her to join the Great Southwest Rotary Club. As one of the first two women in the club, she helped to expand and diversify the membership, was elected its first female President in 1994, and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, the highest recognition in Rotary International.

While she lived her life in service, and for doing so received the Volunteer Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of the United States, many others knew her as an athlete and adventurer. There is a 2-foot trophy from the Gymkhana race she won while 8 months pregnant with her first daughter. There are many cedar-carved name tags that were created during Girl Scout camping trips. There are countless rackets and trophies that mark a lifetime of competitive tennis. She regularly attended and had season tickets to professional hockey, football, and baseball games. She taught swimming to both girl scouts and Nottingham Neighborhood kids. She water skied with grace, danced with rhythm, and excelled at practically any sport you could name.

Bobbie really enjoyed life. She enjoyed her family, she enjoyed her friends, she enjoyed things both mundane and grand. She liked a fizzy coke, a glass of red wine, a warm loaf of bread, and almost any good meal. Once Alzheimer's robbed her of her memories, many might imagine that she would enjoy less. And, yes, losing memories was hard, but it also gave her the opportunity to find joy every day. Salmon for dinner on Monday…never had it…it is delicious! Salmon for dinner on Tuesday…never had it…it is delicious!

Once Bobbie could no longer live at home alone, she was able to spend some time living with each of her children and, by extension, grandchildren. She was a fervent supporter of every event–sports, recitals, plays, etc. She taught each one how to show others respect, use good manners, enjoy ice cream, properly set a table, respect nature, to get up when you fall, and that laughter is the best medicine. They each were able to know and benefit from her love and devotion.

Bobbie was a trail-blazer. Things we now often take for granted are a reality because of the work she put in behind the scenes–competitive women in sports, empowerment of girls to determine their futures, life-long education as vital to individual growth, and equality among absolutely all people. She was a living role model, and we as individuals and the community as a whole are better for her having graced our lives.

SURVIVORS

Daughter Linda Heckathorn Clyma, and granddaughters Macy Clyma and Audrey Clyma of Fort Worth.

Daughter Amy Heckathorn Topping, son-in-law Troy Topping, and granddaughters Sydney Topping and Alex Topping of Sacramento.

Son Paul Heckathorn, daughter-in-law Alice Whitten, and grandchildren Jacob Heckathorn and Lily Heckathorn of Aledo.

Nephew Brian Caldwell and wife Debbie Caldwell, niece Christy Caldwell Davis, nephew David Caldwell, and all the Caldwell children and grandchildren.

Robin Witcher, Kevin Witcher and Tommy Merck. We are so grateful for your love of and care for Bobbie. You enriched her life in countless ways. You are family.

Bobbie is predeceased by her sister Evelyn Jean Bruce Caldwell and brother-in-law J.L. Caldwell.

SERVICE

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, 1:00pm at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church of Arlington. Reception immediately following until 3:00pm–all are welcome to come, share stories, and celebrate an amazing woman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, the Parenting Center, or a charity of your choice to honor her volunteer spirit.