Obituary of Heather Alice KOSKI (nee Darch)

May 11, 1944 - Stettler, Alberta
January 29, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

We are saddened to announce Heather’s passing at the age of 75. She will be remembered by her daughter Susan (Derek) Schulmeister, son Rob (Kristin) Koski and grandchildren, Danielle, Matthew, Nadia, and Juliette. She is also survived by her sister Jeanette (Jerry) Bailey; nieces, Carolyn (Rob) Seipert and Michelle (James) Bailey. She cherished the love of her devoted friends, Pat and Darlene, Jackie and Bob, Shirley, Margie and Rose.

Born in Stettler, AB to a grain elevator operator and a school teacher, Heather was raised in nearby Big Valley and grew up curling and playing softball. After graduating from high school, she went to the University of Alberta where she received her teaching certificate and met her future husband and fellow teacher, Marvin. They married on July 10, 1965, welcomed daughter Susan in 1968, son Rob in 1970 and settled into a new house in Lake Bonavista where she stayed for forty-five years.

In the early days, Heather stayed at home with her kids and taught piano lessons. To get back to teaching, she tenaciously attended the University of Calgary and returned to the front of the classroom in the fall of 1980. She loved teaching (Milton Williams JH and Robert Warren JH) and had enormous fondness for all of her students; she touched, and was touched, by many lives.  As a science and math teacher, family trips were often dotted with quips and facts about science or geology.

Heather loved to garden, golf, spend time with her dogs and watch the Stampeders games. She traveled to Europe, Mexico and Palm Springs; took a cruise to Alaska and spent five weeks in Australia. She was an excellent cook and would prepare Dutch ovens of spaghetti sauce to cart over to neighbours and friends.

Mom’s greatest pride and joy were her children whom she raised on her own since 1983. She was fiercely proud of her kids’ accomplishments and supported Rob’s hockey, baseball and band, and somehow got Susan up for early skating practices. She cherished her grandchildren and would revel in their visits, even if they raided her candy jar. Our Mom was never one to hold back her thoughts or opinions, even if unsolicited.

Heather was diagnosed with COPD in her later life, and fought addiction and mental health issues for many years prior to that. For the past twenty-two years, she has had ups and downs and several close calls that she rallied back from; we likened her to a cat with nine lives. She was a fighter until the end.

Heather was predeceased by her husband Marvin in 1983, father Jack in 1992, and mother Amy in 1994.

The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care of Rockyview Unit 71 - specifically Christine, Olga, Amanda and Dr. Athwal, and also Dr. Higgin at the South Calgary Urgent Care Centre.

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Monday, February 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.  Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Lung Association, www.lung.ca/get-involved/donate; or the Canadian Mental Health Association, www.cmha.calgary.ab.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Heather’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Heather Koski. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403- 256-9575.