Heather Lee Cameron
November 4th, 2021
Heather Lee Cameron
March 20, 1949 – November 4, 2021
Ms. Heather Cameron, age 72 years, passed away peacefully at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta with family by her side on Thursday, November 4, 2021.
Heather was born on March 20, 1949 in Fort William, Ontario. Heather spent her early years on Duke Street in Fort William and her family moved to Bolton Crescent when they were required to move as the Thunder Bay airport was constructed. Heather fondly reminisced of her childhood memories of her family’s backyard skating rink, being the first family on the street to have a colour TV and inviting all the neighbourhood kids over to watch, family fishing trips orchestrated by her father Gordon, her time in the sea cadets and the many Christmas dinners with a full house of family and friends.
Heather had a very adventurous spirit and a wanderlust to travel, see and experience the world. Shortly after graduating high school, much to her parents chagrin, Heather boarded a ship to Australia to teach elementary school. Heather lived in Australia for three years and travelled to New Zealand and throughout the region while she lived there. After her time in Australia, Heather moved back to Canada and completed her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at Lakehead University. Heather’s mother Catherine was also going back to school at the same time and Heather and Catherine were in many of the same classes and would many years later joke and trade competitive barbs about who got better grades in the classes they shared together. Following her graduation from Lakehead University, Heather took a position teaching with the Department of Defence at a Canadian base in Germany. Heather enjoyed her time in Germany and made many great friends there. After returning back to Canada, Heather taught for a few years in Upsala, Ontario and then moved in 1990 from Northwestern Ontario to Southern Ontario to live and teach in Ajax, Ontario and in the surrounding communities. Heather spent the remainder of her career teaching, specializing in Special Education, with the Durham District School Board. While teaching, Heather worked towards and completed her Masters of Education at Lakehead University which was a moment of great pride and accomplishment. Heather loved and had a special touch with children. She was highly empathetic and a positive role model and influence in the lives of her students.
Heather loved travelling and spent much time backpacking and traversing the globe. Heather travelled to over 170+ countries and had been to all seven continents. Heather’s travels included many exotic and remote locations. Heather passed on her love of travel to her nephew Gordon who she would take on her journeys to Europe, the US and across Canada every summer for a number of years to allow him to see the world and also give his parents a reprieve. As a result of her travels and her outgoing nature, Heather maintained relationships and had great friendships with people from countries all over the world. In addition to her passion for travel, Heather also loved reading, gardening, water colour painting, Star Trek and, most of all, having tea with friends.
Heather bought her dream home in Ajax in 1991 on Rands Road in South Ajax, Ontario. Heather’s neighbours were like family and she loved and treasured dearly the lifelong friendships she made while living there. Heather was also very close with her family and spoke daily with her mother Catherine in Thunder Bay and her uncle Barry in Aberdeen, Scotland. Heather also had a close relationship with her father Gordon and they each took tremendous joy in pushing each other’s buttons to great effect. When Heather’s great niece and nephew Morgan and Murray were born she similarly forged a close bond with each of them.
Heather’s story telling, humour, presence, curiosity and love for life will be truly missed by all who knew her.
Heather is survived by her nephew Gordon Cameron; niece-in-law Katherine Cameron; sister-in-law Janice Cameron, great niece Morgan Cameron and great nephew Murray Cameron as well as numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She was predeceased by her parents Gordon and Catherine Cameron and her brother Ian Cameron.
Heather’s family would like to extend thanks to the many persons who assisted Heather in her last few years as she battled cancer. In particular, special thanks to Barbara Fitch who stayed with Heather for over six months when she was diagnosed and had invasive surgery, to Marnie Salonious who drove Heather to, and would stay with Heather during, all of Heather’s chemotherapy appointments and to Anne and John Fleck who would check on Heather and assist her multiple times a day so she could continue to remain in her home while she was ill. A special thank you as well to the staff at Amica Senior Living in Calgary. Your excellent care and attention and the personal relationships made with Heather during her stay was greatly appreciated by Heather and our family.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Heather to the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca.
Messages:
I was greatly saddened by Heather's passing, as she touched my soul in many ways, she was more than a resident for me at Amica where I cared for her, I considered her a part of my family. There are no words to express my gratitude and the woman Heather was, if you knew her, you know. We bonded with stories she told, creative minds we both shared, stories about Germany from her experiences and mine, advices she gave, about art and painting and many many more. I am very grateful for her stepping into my life as she did. She had and always will have a beautiful soul that touched many hearts around her, especially me. She was like a mother figure to me. In the short time I had to spend with her, she always put a smile on my face. Her passing hit me real hard and at the same time I'm glad she is pain free. I had a great pleasure to meet and know her nephew and niece in law and their children and glad I made Heather's last days somewhat calm. May you rest in peace and travel the world freely with your loved ones who waited for you on the other side. I will never forget you as I write this in tears. I love you Heather.
I first met Heather when I was in my early teens. This was during her first three-year trip to Australia. Heather became an adopted member of our family and we were lucky enough to grow up with her story telling, humour and love for travel. My Mum visited Heather and her family in Thunder Bay in the mid 70's and was immediately adopted by the Cameron's. The wonderful stories she told on her return reinforced our belief that Heather would always be a big part of our family. We were lucky to have her company for my eldest daughter’s wedding but her initial diagnosis meant she would be returning to Canada for treatment and miss the wedding which broke our hearts (and hers). We were still able to make her a part of the ceremony when we face-timed her in Canada so she could see the bride before anyone else. She left an enormous legacy in this country and with our family. We love you Heather. May you rest in peace.
I was greatly saddened to learn about Heather's death. Condolences to her family, especially to her nephew Gordon about whom she often spoke about and her surviving sister in law and her children. I had known Heather since grade 10 in high school in Fort William, now Thunder Bay. I spent many enjoyable overnights with her and her family during high school days. It was always a big treat to stay in the city with friends, for me as a farm girl. I had last seen Heather in Ajax where she kept a map of the world with pins stuck into all the places she had been - and she had been to many dozens of countries - and told of interesting/amazing/scary stories about her travels. In the time since I last saw Heather I tried to get in contact with her, but when I couldn't I just assumed she was back in her favourite continent of Australia. I was saddened to find out she was not travelling somewhere in the world, but had passed on. We will all miss you Heather
On behalf of the retirees of Adelaide McLaughlin Public School in Oshawa, I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to Heather’s family. We have heard about her various adventures and know how much she enjoyed her many travels. All of us taught together for a number of years and enjoyed our times together. She was settled in her new home in Calgary and was so very grateful to you, Gordon, and your family. She always spoke so highly of you. You will miss her greatly. Thanks so much for keeping in touch. Mary Hogg