Rae Ellen Heidt, 94, of Albany died peacefully Monday at her home in the Mennonite Village. This picture was taken on her 94 birthday.

Rae Ellen was born in Petaluma, Calif., to Sherwin and Bertha (Miller) Derby. She grew up in Petaluma and attended San Jose State College where she met Norman E. Heidt. They were married June 10, 1939.

Rae Ellen and Norman both excelled in music in college and continued with their love of music while playing in the Vallejo Symphony. Rae Ellen was active in PTA, Girl Scouts and Benicia Aquatic Club. She also taught at Saint Catharine's and Saint Dominic's until she retired to travel with her husband who had retired earlier.

Rae Ellen and Norman loved to travel and camp. They made many trips across country to visit their daughter's family living in Ohio and their son's family living in southern California.

Rae Ellen moved to Oregon with her daughter when Norman was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1990. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, husband Norman in 1994, son Sherwin Heidt in 2000 and granddaughter Jacquelyn Scoggins in 2008.

She is survived by her daughter, Lynda Heidt Scoggins; brother John Derby and wife Patricia; daughter-in-law Marsha Heidt; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Rae Ellen will be dearly missed. She lived with her daughter, Lyn, for 21 years. They enjoyed traveling and seeing God's beautiful creations in the United States and Canada, and visiting family and friends. Over the last two years they covered the entire United States, much of western Canada and the entire U.S. coast line. Their last trip ended in the Tetons, which was a favorite of Rae Ellen's, along with the beautiful Oregon Coast where they spent much of their time when they were "home."

Rae Ellen and Lyn were blessed with living in the Mennonite Village since 2004. Rae Ellen had many friends and enjoyed all of the wonderful benefits of living in such a remarkable loving community.