AUGUSTA – Vera F. Heckerd, 83, of Huntington Hill Road, Litchfield, and formerly of Sidney, died Friday, May 2, at MaineGeneral Medical Center.

She was born in West Milan, N.H., on Feb. 6, 1925, the daughter of Richard and Lucy (Tripp) Leighton.

She graduated from Gould Academy in 1943. She had worked for the state of Maine, Department of Labor for more than 50 years, retiring in 1987. She had a love of animals and enjoyed painting, quilting and weaving baskets. She was also a member of the Maine State Retirees Association.

She is survived by a son, Jay Heckerd and his wife, Ellen, of Camden; a daughter, Van Laliberte and her husband, Ray, of Union; a sister, Lillian Leighton of Frederick, Md.; her companion, George Ruman of Litchfield; six grandchildren, Joshua Heckerd, Amanda Heckerd, Allie Heckerd, Morgan Heckerd, Marc Laliberte and Meredith Laliberte; and her favorite niece and nephew, Eleanor Brooks and Al Sumner, both of Bethel.

She was predeceased by her husband, James Heckerd Oct. 1, 2000.