Heidi Balmer Andersen

Heidi Balmer Andersen

September 26, 1938 - August 2, 2026

Heidi Balmer Andersen of White Plains, NY passed away peacefully at the Bristal Assisted Living in White Plains surrounded by family and friends, including her daughter and son, on August 2, 2026.

She was born in Laupen, Switzerland on September 26, 1938 and grew up in the same picturesque village nestled in a valley surrounded by the Swiss Alps. She finished her formal schooling in Laupen and then, at age 15, went to live with her grandparents in the French speaking part of Switzerland where she also completed her post graduate apprenticeship. A couple of years later, Heidi went to live and work in England in order to improve her English with the ultimate plan of immigrating to the United States. She fulfilled her dream a year later by moving permanently to the US, and settled in Greenwich Village in New York City.

Heidi thoroughly enjoyed her years in the city, working as an administrative assistant, gaining official US citizenship, and eventually meeting Thor Andersen through the Marble Collegiate Church Young Adults Group. Heidi and Thor married in 1965. The young couple remained in Greenwich Village for several years and eventually welcomed their daughter, Christine Balmer, in 1968. In 1969 they moved to North White Plains in Westchester County and welcomed their son, Mark Harold, in 1971. The family then moved to White Plains in 1979.

Heidi remained a stay at home mother for several years, but never forgot her dream of completing her education with the goal of ultimately obtaining her college degree. Although it took her many years, she worked tirelessly in order to do so, first obtaining a high school equivalency degree, then an Associates degree from Westchester Community College, and finally a Bachelors degree from Mercy College. While being in school part time and continuing to raise her family, Heidi also worked part time as a personal bookkeeper for Dr. Alfred Grant and his family in order to pay for her studies.

Once graduating with a bachelor's degree in business, Heidi dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector, working as an office manager first for the Hospice Association of New York State for several years and then the Westchester Hospice Association. Upon her retirement from fulltime work, Heidi continued to work part time for a commercial real estate agency. She eventually settled into full retirement, but continued to make contributions to the non profit sector by working as a volunteer in the volunteer office at Blythedale Children's Hospital.

In Heidi's final decade, she spent many days tending to her expansive garden and traveling to Morristown, NJ where her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren lived, relishing her role as "grandma." Also around this time, it became more apparent that Heidi was moving away from being the person she had always been, and was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia. Heidi spent her last few years living contently in a couple of Assisted Living and Memory Care residences, first at Atria Woodlands in Ardsley, NY for over four years and finally at the Bristal White Plains for the final year and a half of her life.

Heidi was preceded in death by her husband, Thor Harald Andersen, and her parents, Walter and Hedwig Balmer.

Heidi is survived by her two brothers, Hans Peter and Rolf Balmer of Switzerland, daughter Christine Andersen (Jim) of Bronxville, New York, son Mark Andersen (Tara) of Lewes, Delaware, and grandchildren Logan and Chelsea Andersen of Lewes, Delaware. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and other extended family members both across the United States and in Switzerland.

Heidi will always be remembered for her strength, courage, and ambition. She will also be remembered for her loving and generous nature and dedication to her friends, family and helping others.

As we mourn her loss, we remain extremely grateful for the many years and much love we shared with her.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to The Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS), 119 Washington Street, Suite 302, Albany, NY, 12210.

A memorial service will be held for Heidi at the White Plains Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 11:00 am.