Loved being a mother and taking care of her sons
WAKEFIELD — On January 31, 2022, Denise Bajgot Heckman, 63, was reunited in heaven with her eldest son, Keaton, who passed away a year earlier. Denise suffered through a year of extreme grief and heartache as the two were extremely close. She took comfort in her son Keifer and granddaughter Kayleigh Mae (Keaton’s daughter), and spent countless hours talking with her mother, but losing Keaton was a tremendous weight which took its toll on her.
Denise grew up in Wakefield and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1976. She lived in Peabody for many years when she was married, and also resided in Gloucester for many years, which she loved as she especially enjoyed the ocean. More recently, she moved back to Wakefield and was living with her parents along with her son Keaton before he passed.
Denise leaves her younger son Keifer Heckman and his girlfriend Kaitlin Phillips of Peabody; her granddaughter, Kayleigh Mae Heckman of Peabody; her parents Anthony and Marlene Bajgot of Wakefield; her brother Doug Bajgot, his wife Judi, their daughter Molly and son Sam; her brother Jeff Bajgot, his wife Bev, their son Josh and his partner Amber Roberts, their daughter Emily Schiller and her wife Lindsay and their children Casey and Cameron; and her sister, best friend and confidante Karyn Tirabassi, her former husband Rick and daughters Mikayla, Alexa and Isabella. She also leaves many other beloved relatives and friends whom she loved very much.
Denise loved being a mother and enjoyed taking her sons, family and friends to the beach or to Brooksby Farm to play with the animals and fish when she lived in Peabody. Denise also had a knack for decorating and could turn any room, gift, event (or anything really) into a beautiful showpiece. She was also gifted with words. Poetry and writing came easily to her. Other things she loved included Barbra Streisand, I Love Lucy, Doris Day, and the Bee Gees! She was a terrific cook, loved a great yard sale, and was also a shopaholic who loved Amazon. Thoughtful, kind and empathetic, Denise struggled with depression for most of her life which took its toll. She had a big heart and loved to give people gifts which were always one of a kind and special.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an education fund created for Denise’s granddaughter’s future benefit. Please make checks payable to “Fidelity Investments FBO Kaleigh Mae Heckman,” C/O Keifer Heckman, 49 Glen Drive, Peabody, MA 01960.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield on Saturday, February 12 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A reception will follow from 12-3 p.m.
