Groveland - Maureen F. Heaton of Los Angeles, Calif., passed away on March 23, 2019, at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Maureen had a zest for life-she was a shining light and lived with a positive spirit, illuminating smile and demonstrated incredible kindness to anyone she met. Maureen, or Mo, as friends and family called her, had endless love for her family and her friends, music, exercise, movies, Boston sports and, most importantly, Tom Brady and the Patriots.

A 21-year veteran of E! Entertainment/Comcast/NBC Universal, Maureen was referred to as the cornerstone of E! News. She joined the brand as an intern at the Assignment Desk and worked her way to the most recent role of Supervising Producer, News Operations, where she remained until her untimely death. She's proudly referred to by her colleagues as "THE Go-To, Get-It-Done-With-A-Smile Partner," and the "Young Matriarch of the News Room," who could always be relied upon morning and night. It was no surprise that Maureen was awarded the Gem Award (Going the Extra Mile) for outstanding service and high achievement from NBC Universal. Maureen also earned five Daytime Emmy nominations and led coverage of more than a dozen New York Fashion Weeks, five Super Bowls, the Rio and London Olympics and various Royal Family events. Maureen happily dedicated her life to E! with her whole heart and created a West Coast family that she passionately loved. They are deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved co-worker and loyal friend.

Originally from Somers, N.Y., Maureen moved with her family to Groveland in 1981, and graduated from Pentucket Regional High School in 1994, where she served as President of her Senior Class. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Emerson College in Broadcast Journalism and Mass Communications in 1998. In her college career, Maureen was anchor and producer for Emerson's Radio and TV stations and was the host for their Summer Concert Series in Downtown Crossing. Maureen interned at WHDH-TV Boston, KCBS-TV Los Angeles, and E! Entertainment Television, Los Angeles. Maureen was recognized with many distinguished honors and awards at both Pentucket High School and Emerson College for academic scholarship, good citizenship, outstanding leadership and strong promise of future potential.

Maureen was adored and cherished by her loving parents, Andrew and Joan Heaton of Groveland; and siblings Jennifer Perlitch, Andrew Heaton Jr. (Kristine), Elizabeth Wilbur (Stephen) and Katharine Heaton; as well as nine nieces and nephews; including two godsons, and a large extended family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Her family would like to thank the Neuro-oncology and Neurosurgery teams at MGH for their commitment, perseverance and support throughout Maureen's illness.

There are plans to set up a foundation to honor Maureen.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 28, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street, Haverhill, from 2 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, in St. Ann Church, 300 Main Street, West Newbury, at 11 a.m. Interment will be private at a later date. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com.