Kae Mance Obituary

Kae (Katherine) Heckerman Mance WEAVERVILLE, NC - Kae (Katherine) Heckerman Mance left this world August 9th, 2023. She was born Easter morning, April 5, 1953, in Sapporo, Japan, while her family was stationed there during the Korean War. Kae is survived by the love of her life, husband, Andrew Mance Jr., and their two sons, Ian (Nicole) and Jordan (Miriah). Andrew Clayton Mance, her only grandchild, was a constant joy to her. Grace and Kahlan Spatig, her sister's granddaughters, were like grandchildren to her and Andy. Kae is preceded in death by her parents, Julia and Calton Heckerman; her sister, Martha; and brother, Bill. Her sisters and brother-in-law have been a wonderful support to Kae throughout her illness, and Kae adored her many nieces and nephews. Kae earned a B.A. and M.Ed. from the College of Charleston and worked for Charleston County School District for 28 years. After retiring, she began a private tutoring business serving children with significant learning disabilities in reading and created "Reading Tricks." Teaching children to read was her great love, and she continued to stay in touch with many of her students as adults. Kae had a passion for dancing and always said that she couldnt dance without smiling. She participated in and later led a group that danced for those confined to nursing homes. She took lessons for years and then began teaching dance after she and Andy moved to Weaverville, NC. She became close friends with the wonderful women she met through her classes. In early 2023, Kae published two books. The first, Living to Die Well - A Guide for Terminally Ill People and Their Loved Ones, was based on her experience living with a terminal illness and her attempt to educate people how to make that journey easier on themselves and others. Reading Tricks for Jordan was published to educate teachers and parents about important strategies necessary for young readers to learn and how to teach and reinforce these strategies. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Land of the Sky United Church of Christ in Asheville, Dandelion Ministries in Cutchogue, NY, or the Center for Conscious Living and Dying in Swannanoa, NC. A memorial service will be held at Land of the Sky United Church of Christ in Asheville on August 26th at 11 AM. A reception will be held immediately afterward in the fellowship hall.