Nila Lynn Heape Halloran

            Nila Lynn Heape Halloran passed peacefully surrounded by her family on June 9, 2022.  She was born June 9, 1954 at Ft. Bragg, NC, the daughter of CWO4 Artie and Belle Waters Heape and was the youngest of 4 daughters.  Since her dad was career military, she lived in a number of states and overseas during her youth.  After attending many different schools, she graduated in 1972 from Aberdeen Senior High in Aberdeen, MD. 

In 1976, she graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, SC, with a BS in Nursing.  While at MUSC, she met the love of her life John Joseph Halloran, Jr. who graduated from the Citadel.  After their graduation, they had a military wedding at Summerall Chapel at the Citadel on August 28, 1976. Also, during her years at MUSC she converted to Catholicism.

Since marrying John, together they embarked on a 32-year Army career, living in many different states during the process.  In many of those states, she put her nursing degree to good use.  Then in 1986, she was offered a great opportunity working at St. Patrick Hospital, where she worked for 33 years until she retired in 2019.  After working in several different positions, she found her calling in the ER. 

Nila was a parishioner at St. Theodore Catholic Parish, where she taught CCD for many years and later became a lector at the 8:30AM Mass.  She attained the rank of Dame Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.  She was also a Dame Commander in the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, Grand Priory of America. Nila held several offices in the Order such as Imperial Calcasieu Delegation Hospitaller and then Delegate.  She was responsible for developing the Givers Candlelight Ceremony, with LOPA and the Southern Eye Bank, honoring family and loved ones who donated their organs, tissue and / or cornea to improve the lives of others.  Her efforts were recognized by the order, and she was awarded the Companionate of Merit in the rank of Member and later in the rank of Officer.  She was also a long serving member of the Serra Club of Lake Charles and was their Membership Vice-President. 

Nila was active in the community as well.  She was a Scout Leader for many years with most of them as part of the Calcasieu Area Council.  She was recognized for efforts with the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver.  She became an Ordeal Member in the Order of the Arrow.  Nila also served on both Cub Scout and Boy Scout Woodbadge Staff.  She served as a nurse at a sub-camp medical facility for numerous National Scout Jamborees.  She was active on the Diocesan and National levels with the Catholic Committee on Scouting.  Her outstanding work was recognized with the Bronze Pelican and St. George religious awards.  While attending the National Meetings, she served on the Scholarship Selection Committee.

Nila loved to play her flute in church and especially for the nuns at St. Patrick Hospital during mass.  She loved the outdoors, cooking, reading, doing puzzles and cross-stitching, playing Wordscapes, collecting Hummels, religious figurines, and bells, and watching her favorite shows.  Most of all she loved spending time with her family and spoiling her grandkids.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Artie and Belle Heape, and granddaughter, Kayla Halloran.

She is survived by her husband John and her 3 children; Thomas and Jill Halloran of Benton, LA, Nancy Joubert of Carthage, Tx, and Cindy and James Banker of Nashville, TN; her sisters Anne (Gary) McKillips, Lou Beale and Arlene (George) Hull; her grandchildren, Kayne and Raechelle Halloran, Nila Ann Joubert, Charles Chapman, Elizabeth Joubert, Michael Chapman, Emily Joubert, Natalie Halloran, Jacob Banker, Mary Halloran, Jessica Joubert, Clare Banker, Giles Banker, SPC Justin Crouch, Jessica Crouch and Jasmin Crouch.  Her greatgrandchildren Kynsleigh Moorehead, Kayden Halloran, and one on the way.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at St. Theodore Catholic Church.  Father Aubrey Guilbeau will officiate.  Burial will follow in Consolata  Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation will begin in the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM.  Visitation will continue in the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the start of the mass. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made on her behalf to the following organizations and Orders that she loved.  Serra Club of Lake Charles to support Vocations (P.O. Box 208, Lake Charles, LA 70602), National Catholic Committee on Scouting St. George Memorial Fund (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E349400&id=20), or the Grand Priory of America American Association (https://www.st-lazarus.us/giving/?memorial)