MARY E. HIEGEL, 93, of Maumelle, died May 27, 2020.
Born February 25, 1927 in Little Rock, she was the daughter of Robert and Theresa Hughes.
Mary was a pioneer in the field of medicine being one of the first nurse anesthetists in the state of Arkansas. A retired nurse anesthetist, Mary was a longtime member of the Cathedral of St. Andrew and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
Preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Leo Hiegel, she is survived by four children, sister, Mary Amata “Susan” of Linden, Virginia, Lawrence “Larry” Hiegel (Brenda) of Maumelle, Arkansas, Robert “Bob” Hiegel (Cathie) of Russellville, Arkansas and David Hiegel (Cindy) of Denton, Texas; two sisters, Marian Ferguson of North Little Rock and Marlyn Burrow of Little Rock; grandchildren, Sarah Hiegel, Peter Hiegel; and step grandchildren Collette Fisk, Steve Eddings and Bryson Burke.
Mary and her husband enjoyed traveling to countries around the world. One time, Mary and Leo had the wonderful opportunity to see the Pope as he passed by one sunny day in Rome. Mary was able to shake his hand! For many years, Mary used her medical training as a volunteer on mission trips for Project Dawn to provide medical intervention and support to those in need in Georgetown, Guyana.
Upon telling the story of meeting her future husband, Mary said it was a blind date but that she knew immediately God sent Leo to her as soon as she saw him. Sure enough, they were married and together they devoutly practiced their faith sharing it with their children and many others throughout their lives together.
Mary was a very practical person. She was very good at maintaining her cool in difficult situations. Her practical nature, sensibility and forthright disposition contributed to her success in the medical field. So much so that while practicing her profession, she was asked to teach a course on the history of anesthesia and did so for many years at her alma mater St. Vincent’s Infirmary School of Nursing. Mary was not afraid to take on challenges, to get her hands dirty (literally and figuratively) and most importantly, to laugh at herself. She used to say she and her twin, Marian, were “double trouble!” She was a joy to know.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Dominic’s Monastery, 2636 Monastery Road, Linden Virginia 22642.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2020 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (Marche), 7006 Jasna Gora Drive, North Little Rock, Ark. 72118 with Father Ruben Quinteros as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock. Visitation will be Sunday, May 31, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock 72204 (501) 661-9111. To sign the online guestbook, click “Add A Memory: at: griffinleggetthealeyroth. com.