Heidi Jill Winters
May 13, 1967 - October 26, 2020
Heidi Jill Winters, age 53, of Bear, DE, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2020.
Born in Skokie, IL on May 13, 1967, she was a daughter of Richard Barry and Sharon Marcia Zittler. Heidi was a graduate of Hoffman Estates High School and continued her education at Harper College. She worked for various organizations throughout her career including, Computer Associates, RNBK, KPMG Bearing Point and Sallie Mae. Heidi worked as an Assistant Corporate Secretary, Chief of Staff to General Council, Matron of the Board of Directors and Vice President of the Sallie Mae Fund.
Heidi enjoyed cooking and baking, jigsaw puzzles and especially loved playing board games with Tony. She will always be remembered as a phenomenal individual who was smart, funny, thoughtful, generous, hardworking, determined, yet stubborn with a “meh” kind of attitude.
Heidi is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Tracy Allan “Tony” Winters; brother, Ron Zittler (Jennifer); brother-in-law, Brian Winters (Jennifer); father-and-mother-in-law, Keith and MaryAnn Winters; and nieces and nephews, Gage, Sara, Zoe and Ian; and many dear friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 1 pm on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a time of sharing will begin at 1 pm. Face masks will be required for all in attendance. Interment will be held privately.
Any family members or friends who are not able to attend Heidi’s service may live stream the service by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Heidi’s memory to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, 1901 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, or to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720.
John Fisher
Tony my heart is broken for you. May peace be with you as you travel through this challenging time.
Jack Remondi
I am so sorry for your loss. From my days long ago at Sallie, I enjoyed our friendly competition of who arrived in the office first each day and Heidi’s famous response “phenomenal sir!” that always brought a smile to my face. My she rest in peace.
Lisa Sorantino
Tony, Words can’t express how sorry I am for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family today and in the days ahead.
Rollie Meyers
My condolences Tony to you and your family. I am sorry to hear of your loss. thoughts and prayers at this time of loss.
Dawn & Jeff Berggren
I am so sorry for you loss. Heidi will always be in our thoughts. Sending you hugs.
Donna and Kerry Gray
Our hearts are broken. We all lost a ” phenomenal” person in loosing Heidi. We still can’t believe its true. Our hearts go out to you Tony. We wish you peace during this horrible time of loss and grief. May God bless and keep you now and always. We will see you on the 7th.
Edward Sadler
Heidi you will be missed. I am confused as 2020 has been a year that I will never forget and Appreciate how we became friends and how you treated me from day One. Anything I can do please let me know Tony my friend.
Edward Sadler
Terry Strange
Shocked and saddened to hear this news. My deepest sympathies to Tony.
I served on the Board of Directors of both BearingPoint and Sallie Mae. I worked closely with Heidi in those roles and I considered her a friend. She was great to work with, highly competent, fun, and just a joy to be around. In my 54 years in business I never encountered a finer person. We stayed in touch after I departed Sallie Mae. I will miss our debates about the Cubs and Astros.
Lisa Andrues
Mr. Winters,
I was so saddened to hear of Heidi’s passing. I knew her only through our work together at Sallie Mae, but I valued our acquaintance and working relationship. Heidi was highly intelligent, dedicated and effective in the work environment. In our interactions, I experienced more; Heidi also showed kindness, support, and a finely tuned sense of humor that made my job easier and far more enjoyable. I will miss her. My condolences to you and your family at this time.
Monica Eorgoff and Bob Zander
To Tony, Dick, Sharon and all those who loved Heidi,
I knew Dick and Sharon (Heidi’s parents) through their volunteer work.
I knew of Heidi through them. I had the pleasure of meeting Heidi at her parents’ wedding anniversary celebration.
What a force of nature! Shocked and saddened by the news. But forces of nature like Heidi are not quelled…she lives on around us.
Much love And peace to you who loved Heidi.
Monica Eorgoff and Bob Zander
Martha Holler
I am so sorry for your loss. Ms. Winters had a profound impact on all who came in contact with her – we all adopted her formal form of address! – and elevated the professionalism of those around her. It was a delight to encounter her dry and lightening quick wit. May God bring you comfort, and may she rest in peace. XOXO
Jacqui and Jeff Leonard
Tony and family. I am sincerely so sorry for your loss. Heidi was my best friend and mentor from the day I started at Sallie Mae five years ago. She was such an amazing sole and a beautiful person. If there is anything, anything at all I can do for you and/or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am here for you and your family. She will be missed. Jacqui
Rosemary Morris
Heidi and I met while working at Computer Associates in 1992. Working with her was a treat – she was professional, energetic, and loved the adrenalin rush of juggling multiple projects and deadlines at once. We often met for lunch, returning to the office with our faces sore from laughing the whole time. Being her friend was a gift. She was loyal, compassionate and insightful. Heidi and Tony were also gracious hosts for dinners and brunches in their home, followed by board games. After they moved to Delaware, I was always grateful that Heidi reserved a place for me on the spreadsheets she created to schedule their trips to Illinois. Those spreadsheets! This woman was a force of nature in her attention to detail, keen intelligence and her huge personality. I can’t believe she is gone. She will be missed by so many. Tony, Donna joins me in sending our deepest condolences.
Jonathan Boyles
I am very sorry for your loss. She was a truly special person and colleague. She always had a unique skill of making everyone she interacted with feel special. Heidi will truly be missed.
Stacy Lawhon
Tony I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that God eases your mind and lightens you heart in knowing that she is in good hands. She was a wonderful human being and will be missed. RIP
Tracy Varnes
Words can’t express how sorry I am for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family today and in the days ahead. Heidi was such a presence and she will never be forgotten. XOXO
Raheem & Keisha Thomas
Our hearts go out to you Tony, family and friends . She made us laugh non stop.
Daria Ryan
Tony and family, My most heartfelt sympathies on the loss of Heidi. So glad to have met Heidi not long after you both moved to Delaware. Heidi was beloved, fabulous and an always phenomenal woman. She was a whirlwind of positivity and happiness like few others. Thankful for all the laughs and chats we had together.
Wishing you all peace and love at this difficult time.
Lois Powers
Our hearts break with the news of Heidi’s passing and our prayers are with you and all who loved her. Heidi was the most caring, loving and giving of friends. She was a source of great strength, fun and dedication to so many — what a blessing she was in my life! And although I am deeply saddened that she is no longer with us, I cling to God’s assurance that someday there will be no more mourning, crying or pain. I pray that my dear friend is now pain-free and resting in peace in the presence of our Lord. I look forward to that day when we have no more tears. God bless you, Tony (& family) — Gregg & I send our heartfelt condolences, in Christ…
January Wright
I am so sorry for your loss, Heidi will truly be missed at Sallie Mae.
Karen Temple
Tony my heart aches to hear of the passing of Heidi. Heidi was a special woman with many talents and unique qualities who will be missed by so many. I wish you peace and comfort in your time of grief.
Ellie & Allen Farkas
Rich and Sharon,
We are saddened by your recent loss of your daughter, Heidi Jill Winters. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this troubled time. Please be well and stay safe. Condolences and may she rest in peace. I know how you are feeling, this was a shock to everyone. Please take care of yourselves. Much love and keep your memories close , she would want you to carry on! Your Friends, Ellie & Allen Farkas
Brenda Hymes
Tony, I am so sorry to hear of Heidi’s passing. I loved working with Heidi and her professionalism and dry humor will be missed. My heart breaks for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Kenneth Ricker
Prayers and thoughts are with you Tony. Sorry that Heidi left us and you so early in her life. God Bless
Kenneth Ricker and Carol Weaver
Prayers for you Tony, we will miss Heidi.
Sandy Jeronimus
I am so sorry for your loss, Tony. Heidi was more than a great lady!
Sandy
Joe and I send our love and condolences to Heidi’s family, friends and especially Tony.
It’s hard to express in words how much we hurt for you and know we grieve with you. Heidi will always be in our hearts. We carry fond memories there as well.
May a peace and comfort come that passes all understanding.
Love and hugs.
Katt Mullaney
My thoughts and prayers are with you Tony during this time.
Katt Mullaney
She will be missed by all – she has touched many lives and we will all feel that lost.
Mary Paskett
Tony, I am deeply saddened to hear of Heidi’s passing. I worked closely with her when I first started at Sallie Mae. She was a well of knowledge, and taught me so much. I thoroughly enjoyed her sense of humor, and getting to see her when she came to Salt Lake for the Board meetings. When she laughed, it was hard and true and honest, and I loved it.
Many condolences to you and your family and friends.
Mary
Dusty Jaffray
The site is just great, everyone would be like that!