Heather Elizabeth Robb

We are saddened to announce the death of Heather Elizabeth Robb. Our dear sister, mother, cousin, auntie and friend died at Cowichan Hospice House on May 31st, in the loving presence of family and friends.

Heather started life in Calgary, Alberta and moved to the Lower Mainland as a young woman. She worked as an airline attendant, became the first female sales rep for Xerox BC, was a real estate agent, a manager, and financial consultant. Later she led professional development and healing workshops, travelling to many smaller communities where the impact of her work was especially appreciated.

It was while working as a financial consultant in 1984 that she met and then married Dr. Eric Gable. Their life together prioritized adventure with friends and time with their large extended family. In the last year of her life, with a terminal cancer diagnosis, she chose to focus on her relationships with friends and family. She continued to attend monthly book club dinners, volunteer at hospice and spent time with friends and all generations of her family. Heather always welcomed conversations that deepened her relationships; and there were many meaningful moments with much laughter and joy.

She was predeceased by her father, Douglas Robb, mother Ileen Rosen, and in 2017, her husband. After caring for Eric with the support of palliative care in his final illness, Heather became a volunteer with Cowichan Hospice House. The connections she made through this work were essential to her and she was valued for her insights and understanding. More recently she turned to Hospice for counselling and care, and in her final two months she moved into Hospice House which she described as “coming home.”

Heather is deeply missed by many. Of note, her brother, Ron Robb (Jan), sister Bev Goes (Hans), lifelong best friends Cherie Thiessen and David Dossor, stepson Gordon Gable (Sheree), stepdaughter Lori Orr (David), brother and sister-in-law, Norm and Cathy Gable, cousins Tom James (Karinna), Doreen Machlaughlan (Jim) and Laura Loiacono (Ron). Heather’s importance to her nieces and nephews, their partners and children was exceptional. There are too many to name here but they know who they are and how much their Auntie Heather adored them.

Our heartfelt gratitude to Heather’s friends Catherine Coulter and Kirsty Maxwell, the team at Hospice House, Dr. A. Thomas Rimmer, and all of the friends and neighbours who came to Heather’s aid, brought wonderful meals, and overall, gave Heather the sense of being loved and cared for. A memorial will be held on September 9th, 2023 at First Memorial Funeral Services, 375 Brae Road, Duncan, BC.

For those who wish, donations may be made to Cowichan Valley Hospice Society www.cowichanhospice.org. (see below for link).