Pamela Heckel

Pamela Gayle Heckel passed away peacefully at her home in Lunenburg on Thursday, September 24, 2026. She was 76. Pam was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 5, 1949 to Edwin Arthur Wernli and Neva June DeWalt. She graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1967, then worked a variety of jobs in the financial and medical fields in the Chicago area. She married Richard Margis (now of Indianapolis, Indiana), with whom she raised two daughters in Glenwood, Illinois. After divorcing, she met and married John Heckel. They combined their two families and moved to Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1988. John passed away last year, in 2025.

Pam and her two daughters joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1986, and she was an enthusiastic and practicing member until her passing. She enjoyed and excelled at serving others in many different volunteer roles in the Church, emulating the example of the Savior to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Pam worked tirelessly throughout her life in a variety of occupations to support her family; including at Digital Equipment Corporation in Westminster, as a home health aide throughout Worcester County, as an insurance benefit administrator in West Boylston, as a data transcriber for the IRS in Fitchburg, as an administrative assistant at Pferd, Inc. in Leominster, and as a transportation dispatcher at MART in Fitchburg.

Pam was a wonderful and caring mother to her children; a loyal friend to her loved ones; and her grandsons’ #1 sports fan; rarely missing one of their basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, or football games. This enthusiasm often translated into her bringing hand-made signs on cardstock to cheer them on.

Pam’s favorite thing of all was spending time with family; whether it was for Sunday afternoon spaghetti dinners; watching the Patriots game and having tacos; or just simply “taking a ride out” to visit her kids and grandkids.

Pam is survived by her two lovely daughters: Cheri (Eric) Brimhall of Winchendon, and Tobi Margis (fiancée Eric Leblanc) of Lunenburg; two sisters: Janis Ruhl of Lockport, Illinois and Cheryl Weinert of New Lenox, Illinois; three grandsons: Maclean (Laney) Brimhall of Charleston, SC (24); and Tanner (19) and Quinn (16) Brimhall, both of Winchendon. Pam was preceded in death by her brother Paul Wernli of St. Pete Beach, Florida.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gardner Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 634 Pearl Street in Gardner (at the junction of routes 101 and 140). All family and friends are invited to attend and honor Pam’s remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Carter 44 Foundation: (carter44.org)

Kelly Cremation and Funeral Care is assisting with arrangements. To leave a message or a condolence please visit www.kellycremation.com