Tabitha was a senior at Pius X High School in Lincoln when she passed away in November 2020, following a car accident. Tabitha Rose was born August 29, 2003 to Jacob and Naomi Smeal in Fremont, Nebraska. They chose Julie and Kelly Heftie to be her adoptive parents, who raised her in Lincoln, Nebraska, along with her siblings: Simon, Maria and Elijah. A close-knit family, they loved to do things together. 

Tabitha attended Cathedral of the Risen Christ School from Kindergarten thru 8th grade. She was a member of the Cathedral of the Risen Christ Parish and participated in the Godteen program. Tabitha loved school and was active in choir.  She participated in the Penguin Project at the Lincoln Community Playhouse where she spent five years as an artist mentor.  Tabitha’s many friends and classmates are going to miss her great smile and silly sense of humor.  Among her favorite things were her cats, Linus & Bailey, streaming Criminal Minds and Grey’s Anatomy, and a good bacon double cheeseburger, fries and a cherry Pepsi. She was so excited for college and was planning to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney, majoring in nursing. 

Tabitha Rose was loved and cherished by her family and friends and will be truly missed. She was a lovely young lady who cared deeply about others; we feel that spirit should be honored and carried on.