Karen Beth Sbrollini Heilman, age 55 of Chapel Hill, N.C., passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021, with her husband by her side after courageously facing an aggressive cancer.
Karen was born in Suffern, N.Y., on March 30, 1966, to Rebecca Schwartz Sbrollini and the late Paul Sbrollini. A lifelong athlete, she played basketball for Gettysburg College, where she joined the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She also participated in adult basketball, softball, and volleyball leagues; coached basketball, softball, and soccer; taught fitness classes; and was an avid cyclist. After achieving her Master of Education, Karen taught high school English in Chatham County for over 20 years. She advocated strongly for her students and received Chatham Central’s Teacher of the Year award in 2018. She loved spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed books, music, the beach, Disney, and college sports.
Karen is survived by her husband of 29 years, Thomas “Newt” Heilman II of Chapel Hill, N.C.; mother, Rebecca Schwartz Sbrollini of Pittsboro, N.C.; daughters, Becca Heilman of Washington, D.C., and Sara Heilman of Chapel Hill, N.C.; sister, Lauren Sbrollini Macaluso and husband Vincent F. Macaluso of Douglaston, N.Y., and their children, Abigail Macaluso of New York, N.Y., and Vincent P. Macaluso of Douglaston, N.Y.; and her beloved dog, Trevor.
A celebration of her life will take place at a later date, tentatively scheduled for spring 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the cancer research or education charity of your choice.
Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com.
Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Heilman family.