Katherine Joan Heller

HELLER, Kitty Well-known Vancouver labour lawyer and arts supporter Katherine J. Heller ' Kitty to her family and friends ' died at her home on January 20th, 2011, surrounded by family and friends. She was 67. Kitty was born September 30th, 1943 in Vancouver. Loving daughter to Edwina and Paul Heller of Vancouver BC, devoted sister to Irene Bettinger of Kansas City MO, proud aunt to Dana of Seattle WA and to Lori and (Jeff Francer) of Washington DC. She completed her undergraduate studies at Swarthmore and received her Masters in International Relations at the University of Toronto. Her distinguished professional life included five years in the Canadian Foreign Service. She received her LL.B. from the University of British Columbia in 1976 and served as law clerk to the Honourable Chief Justice John Farris of the B.C. Court of Appeal. Specializing in labour law, Kitty became a Partner at Russell & DuMoulin (Fasken Martineau DuMoulin) and then at Owen Bird. In 2005, she established her own practice, working in the area of human rights complaints and harassment investigations. Kitty made significant contributions to art and culture in British Columbia and Canada through her work on numerous Boards, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Vancouver Holocaust Centre Society. She also gave her time and energy to many small not-for-profit groups that were struggling to survive. Kitty will be remembered as a generous supporter of the arts and an incredible mentor to people from all walks of life. Generations of friends, young lawyers and the children of her friends and relatives all came to her for advice about their lives and careers. Kitty was a unique individual and a special Vancouver voice who enriched our lives with her laughter, her love, and her generosity of spirit. She will continue to do so through the many memories and stories carried by her wide and wonderful circle of family and friends. A Celebration of Kitty's life will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Hospice Society (Kitty Heller Chat Room) or a charity of your choice.