Obituary of McNEILL – Heather Anne

February 6, 1940 – December 22, 2010 Heather Anne McNeill (nee Hueston) passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Rosedale Hospice after a brave and inspiring battle with metastatic breast cancer. Heather was born in Lethbridge, Alberta on February 6, 1940 but spend most of her adult life in Calgary. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was predeceased by an infant son James Alan in 1966. She is lovingly remembered by her three children, Scott, Kent and Paige (Corey); five grandchildren, Alannah, Allyssa, Connor, Sloan, and Thayne; as well as her sister Gillian Dickin. Heather was a teacher for many years. She loved her work and was especially drawn to teaching students who were learning English as a Second Language. Heather loved cooking and enjoyed sharing her delicious creations with family and friends. Her skills were especially appreciated when it came to baking cookies. Hers were works of art! Heather was a lover of words. She enjoyed reading and the theatre. She had a passion for playing cards and games of all kinds (sometimes until the wee hours of the morning). Over the five years since her diagnosis, Heather participated in a variety of resources for people with cancer. She was delighted to have met so many wonderful people she would not have met otherwise. Heather found herself discovering new passions and developing skills in new areas like photography and journaling. Her creativity, courage and grace inspired others and she became a role model for others facing illness/cancer. Heather was a remarkable friend to many people. She was an attentive listener and a caring supporter. She has so many people she can truly call “friends”. Many thanks to the friends who provided love, care and strength to Heather throughout her illness. Thanks, as well, to Dr. Ruether, Dr. Pickering and the nursing staff at the Tom baker Cancer Center, Wellspring, Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group (BEST group) and Rosedale Hospice. In lieu of flowers, Heather asked that you take a friend to lunch and share your feelings for them. Should family and friends wish to make a memorial tribute, please direct your donations to Wellspring Calgary, 1404 Home Road N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 1G7, Telephone: (403) 521-5292, www.wellspringcalgary.com or to the Rosedale Hospice #920 – 7A Street NW, Calgary, AB T2M 3J3 Telephone: (403) 284 – 5195. A Celebration of Heather’s Life will be held in the Skyline Room of the Calgary Winter Club (4611 – 14th Street NW) on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Heather McNeill, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.