Heather Lea Chavez

September 16, 1965 – June 11, 2025

Heather Chavez, 59, of Flint, Michigan, finally found some peace on June 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and comfortable—just the way she would have wanted.

Born at Pontiac General Hospital on September 16, 1965, Heather was the daughter of the late Virgaline (Chapin) Clegg and Robert Clegg. She was raised in a lively home alongside her siblings Roger, Danny (wife Debbie), Barry (husband Jim), and Julie—none of whom were ever safe from her quick wit and legendary sass.

Heather leaves behind her fiancé and partner-in-crime, Raymond Riojas; her children, April, Amber, Alexis, Christina, and Emilio; and her grandkids—Kylea Jon, Ryan Gregory, Emily Jade, Robin, Benjamin, Matthew, and Seth—who all knew her as the fun, brutally honest, and fiercely loving grandma. She also leaves behind her niece Kristina, who was more like a daughter to her, and Tiffany, who was family in every way that mattered.

A proud member of Oakland Church, Heather found joy in the simple things: heading up north, sitting by the water, binge-watching every movie she could find, and snapping photos of everything—especially her family.

She was a stay-at-home mom and caretaker by title, but that barely scratches the surface. She was a champion banterer, a soft heart with a steel backbone, and someone who never backed down from life’s hardest fights—even the ones within herself. She had her demons, yes, but she also had a strength, humor, and love that outshined them more days than not.

If you knew Heather, you probably laughed with her, argued with her (and lost), or got a brutally honest opinion you didn’t ask for. And if you loved her, you knew it—because she loved you right back, fiercely and without conditions.

Her service will be a potluck style celebration of life held at a later time to come and we promise to laugh through the tears—just like she would’ve wanted. So please keep an eye out for information for that.