LITCHFIELD - Vera F. Heckerd, 83, of Huntington Hill Road and formerly of Sidney, died Friday, May 2, 2008, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta. She was born in West Milan, N.H., on Feb. 6, 1925, the daughter of Richard and Lucy (Tripp) Leighton. Vera graduated from Gould Academy in 1943. She had worked for the state 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. Vera was predeceased by her husband, James Heckerd, on Oct. 1, 2000. 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; and six grandchildren, Joshua Heckerd, Amanda Heckerd, Allie Heckerd, Morgan Heckerd, Marc Laliberte and Meredith Laliberte. She also is survived by her favorite niece and nephew, Eleanor Brooks and Al Sumner, both of Bethel. There will be no visiting hours. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 5, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, with the Rev. Michelle Grube, pastor of the Union Peoples United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, Windsor. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330. www.khrfu neralhomes.com