Carol Mae Heinen

Carol Mae Heinen, 84, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Harbor Campus in Port Washington, Wis.

Carol was born on Aug. 16, 1942, in Port Washington, Wis., to Agnes (nee Even) and Felix Heinen. She grew up in a loving household along with her three sisters, Gladys, Joyce and Mary. Carol attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Port Washington High School.

Following graduation, Carol moved to Milwaukee, where she worked as a certified dental assistant. She subsequently held a long-term bookkeeping position at Howard Brass and Copper. In her later years, Carol returned to live in Port Washington and was employed at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Mequon, where she worked in housekeeping until her retirement.

Carol enjoyed various hobbies through the years, including photography, fishing, ham radio, antiquing, amateur genealogy and needlepoint. She seemed to always have a needlepoint project in progress, inevitably intended for someone special as a gift. Carol loved music and (secretly) loved to sing and dance.

Carol was a truly kind, brave and determined person. She adored her parents and siblings. She loved her nieces and nephews and their families, never forgetting a birthday card and always keeping abreast of where their lives were taking them.

Carol forged many lifelong friendships and was a loyal and enthusiastic member of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society and the Japanese American Citizens League. She enjoyed traveling and visited many states throughout the U.S., Canada, Spain and Luxembourg. Carol had a uniquely curious mind and was a fearless “people person.”

Carol was a fiercely independent individual, admired for her positive attitude and happy-go-lucky spirit, even in the throes of serious illness. She was fervent in expressions of gratitude to those who supported her through several phases of her life. Carol will be deeply missed.

Carol is survived by her sisters Gladys (John) DeMerit and Mary (the late Carlos Sr.) Tarazona, eight nieces and nephews, 13 great-nieces and nephews, one great-great-niece and other beloved relatives and friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Joyce Heinen and brother-in-law Carlos Tarazona Sr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Mary’s Church, in Port Washington at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or The Food Pantry Inc. in Port Washington.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Heinen family.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.