Maria Margaret (Plagge) Heineman passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025, at her home in Richland, Washington, surrounded by her two children, Spencer Christian Schuler and Gabrielle Maria Schuler and her husband, Robert E. (Rob) Heineman.

Maria was born on September 20, 1968, in San Francisco, CA, to her parents, Hilda (Fuchs) Plagge and Hubert Plagge. In 1973, Maria moved with her parents and siblings to Richland, where she later graduated from Hanford High School. She subsequently attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, earning her B.A. in Marketing in 1990. She worked for many years as a financial analyst for several consecutive contractors at the Hanford Site while raising her two children. During her time at Hanford, she met and married her husband, Rob.
When her children were grown, Maria pursued her passion for helping others by attending graduate school. She earned an M.A. in Social Work from Walla Walla University in 2019. After graduating, she dedicated several years to volunteering at Grace Clinic in Kennewick and later opened her own practice.

Maria was a kind and generous person who loved spending time with her family and pets. She always embraced a good adventure, enjoying runs and triathlons with her friends and children. She cherished time on the river boating, water skiing, and lounging by the backyard pool. She also loved snow skiing and biking on the many trails in the Tri-Cities. Maria enjoyed fishing in the Columbia River and fly fishing around the Tucannon area.

Hawaii was one of her favorite vacation spots, where she enjoyed snorkeling, skydiving, zip-lining, and parasailing with her family. She especially loved relaxing on the beach and was known for her keen ability to spot octopuses and eels that others missed. Maria treasured trips with her daughter and visiting her son in Seattle.

In addition to raising her children and helping others, Maria’s greatest love was for animals. She adored her Border Collie, Girl Scout, her Yellow Labrador Retrievers, Nike and Kona, and her grandpets-Gabrielle’s cat, Jasper, and guinea pig, Cupcake.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her children, Spencer and Gabrielle, her husband, Rob, and her siblings, Monica, Werner, and Mark. Maria lived an active and exciting life, filled with love, family and friends.

Memorial services and a reception are planned for March 31st at Christ the King Church in Richland, with a rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. and a reception at the church. A family-only placement will follow, and she will be laid to rest beside her father at Einan’s Sunset Gardens in Richland.