Obituary of Frances Heffernan Rooney

Frances Heffernan Rooney of Rye, New York passed away peacefully on Saturday December 17, 2022 at Greenwich Hospital. 

“Franny” lived a long and love-filled life guided by faith, family and friends. She was born in 1926 in Worcester Massachusetts, the second child of Ray and Margaret Heffernan. Franny graduated from Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Newton MA and Rosemont College in PA. She was a great athlete throughout her life playing tennis, golf and was a terrific skier. A social worker after college, she met Francis C. (“Frank”) Rooney of North Brookfield MA. Smitten by her beautiful smile and quiet demeanor, Frank pursued the “City Miss” from Worcester, and they were married for 65 years before his death at age 93 in March 2015. Franny was the quiet strength behind the scenes for her husband through his long and successful career. 

She was beloved by her eight children: Peter M. Rooney (Kathy) of Basking Ridge NJ, Michael F. Rooney (Joann)of Rye NY, Stephen G. Rooney (Susan) of Pelham NY, Gigi R. Weil of Larchmont NY, William A. Rooney(Amy) of Charlotte NC, Carol R. Flanagan (James) of Greenwich CT, Frances R. Cifrino (Michael, deceased April 2020) of Hingham MA, and Clare R. Butler (David) of Rye NY, twenty seven grandchildren and their spouses and fifteen great grandchildren. 

She is also predeceased by her adored sister, Clare H. Shlora, and her brothers, William and Paul Heffernan. Franny is survived by her brother, Jack Heffernan of Rye NY.

Franny and Frank were great advocates and supporters for Inner-City Scholarship Fund. She was a Dame of Malta and traveled to Lourdes as a volunteer. She was also a generous volunteer for St. Vincent’s Hospital and various other charities.

Her greatest love and focus was her husband and family. From Chicago, Larchmont, Greenwich, Rye, Lost Tree in Florida to their treasured time in Nantucket, Franny and Frank celebrated with family and friends at every opportunity and created a love of life that her family will carry on.

A wake will be held at Graham Funeral Home in Rye on Wednesday, December 21st from 4-7 pm and a funeral mass will be held at Church of the Resurrection at 10 am on Thursday, December 22nd.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Inner-City Scholarship Fund.