HEATHER WHITTAKER (BEATTIE)

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HEATHER WHITTAKER (nee BEATTIE) On November 2, 2010, Heather slipped peacefully from this world to the next, put on her choir gown, picked up a music folder and pencil and took her place in the heavenly choir. Heather was born in Regina on September 20, 1956. She attended McNiven and McVeety schools and Campbell Collegiate Institute. She graduated from the University of Regina with a B.E.D. in early childhood education. She then set out on her first career as a substitute teacher. Music was always an important part of Heather's life. She took piano, theory and singing lessons. She sang in numerous choirs over the years including the Glee Club, the Forsyth Singers, the Wesley United Church Choir, the Regina Philharmonic Choir, the Seventy Fifth Anniversary Choir, the Celebration Singers and later the Mennonite Oratio choir in Winnipeg. It was in the Forsyth Singers that she met Warren, the love of her life. They were married in July of 1983 and began their journey together in Winnipeg. Heather continued working in Winnipeg until Erin was born in 1986 and resumed working again when Erin was six months old. She retired from teaching with the birth of her second daughter Amy in 1990. She then embarked on her second career, opening a small home daycare. This enabled her to stay at home with her girls for the next ten years. Heather's interest in music continued to be expressed through her position as choir director of Kildonan Community Church for 23 years. Both Heather and Warren were also supporters of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. She began her third career working at Fanny's Fabrics. When Fanny's closed Heather went back to school to obtain a certificate in computerized accounting. She then began working for the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba which she always referred to as the best job she ever had. At the age of forty, Heather discovered the art of Taoist Tai Chi, which she practiced for 14 years. During the period she became an instructor for beginners and loved the teaching aspect of the art. Heather was also passionate about the Kildonan Church Knitting ministry making 33 prayer shawls before her death, often knitting during chemotherapy and hospitalizations. Predeceased by her parents, Frank and Mable Beattie, Heather is survived by loving husband Warren and her daughters Erin and Amy who never ceased to delight and amaze her. She is also survived by her brother John Beattie, brother-in-law Bob Whittaker, Aunt Jean McKillop and Aunt and Uncle Yvonne and Stuart Mann, as well as numerous cousins. In November 2009 Heather began her journey with Metastasized adena carcinoma of the small intestine. The family wishes to thank Dr. Fatoye and all the nurses in the chemotherapy treatment room and at the Seven Oaks Hospital. A Memorial Service is to be held on Friday, November 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kildonan Community Church, 2373 Main Street. As this is a celebration we ask that people not wear black and wear bright colors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kildonan Community Church Reserve Fund, The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, or the Taoist Tai Chi Society. Glen Eden Funeral Home 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2010