Eileen Ann Heppeard

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister and friend, Eileen Ann Heppeard;’ her family said. Eileen was born in Buffalo, New York, on February 19, 1956, to Harold and Patricia (Tobin) Heppeard and was the third born of four children. In 1959, the family relocated to Tampa, Florida, where Eileen attended grammar school at Most Holy Redeemer. In 1968, the family relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, one year after oil had been discovered in Prudhoe Bay. She attended Romig Junior High School, Service High School, and then worked for the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for two years during the construction phase. In 1978, she married Kevin Krauklis and together they had two children. In 1985, her family relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she attended the University of Alaska and studied Art and American Sign Language. She resided there until she moved to Homer, Alaska, in 201 0 so she could be closer to her aging mother and was then diagnosed with breast cancer. After her mother’s passing and Eileen’s diagnosis, she decided to move to Pelham, New York, to be with her son and his family after having lived in Alaska for more than 50 years. But only after a few years decided Alaska was where her heart was so moved back to Homer. She lived in a little cabin on her sister’s property and made it her forever home with her cat Bella until it became too much for her to handle on her own anymore. She was admitted to the South Peninsula Hospital on Friday December 12, 2025, and remained there until her passing. Eileen was a very talented artist and musician, loved animals, could beat anyone at Sudoku, and played a mean game of darts! Eileen is survived by her former husband and long-time friend Kevin Krauklis (Shelley); children Eli Krauklis (Megan) and Gracie Escobar (Sebastian); three grandchildren; Jack Krauklis, Julen Krauklis, and Liliana Escobar; siblings Mary Lou Hovie (Steve), Susan Saxton (Allen), and Dan Heppeard; niece Irene Saxton, and nephews Ben Lauer, Andrew Saxton, Daniel Heppeard, and Timothy Heppeard. She was preceded in death by her mother and father. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Homer Animal Shelter, an organization close to Eileen’s heart. “We would like to thank the staff at South Peninsula Hospital for their compassion and loving care of Eileen during this difficult time;’ her family said. A small memorial service will be held at a future date.