Heather Anne Shortridge

She will be forever missed by her loving children, Nolan (Jacqueline) and Erynn, and by the true sparkles in her eyes, her grandchildren Avery, Brendan, and Penelope. She will also be deeply missed by her beloved dog Rory.

She is survived and remembered by her sisters, Sandra (Dennis), Linda, brother George (Louella), nieces and nephews, Allison (Scott) and their children Alex and Parker, Lavender and her children Lily and Georgia, Kelly (Cara) and their children Connor and Hayden, Kimberly (Matthew) and their children Madison and Kingston, Jay (Ashley), Landon, Mathew (Elaine) and their daughter Hannah, Jolene (Brian) and their children Isabel, Sophie, and Jackson, great-niece Mina, brother-in-law Mathew (Josie), sister-in-law Sharon, many cousins, extended family members and cherished friends near and far.

Heather was predeceased by her parents Douglas and Helena Murray, brother Duncan, brothers-in-law Tom and Roger, and nephews Sean and Christopher.

Heather lived her 75 years to the fullest and treasured her connections with family and friends. She loved learning and teaching, continuing this passion throughout her life.

Heather was born in Fort William, Ontario, and was the third of five children. She grew up on Sydney Avenue in Winnipeg, MB graduating from Miles Macdonell Collegiate. In her youth, she was proud of her athletics and played every sport in high school. Heather was an accomplished seamstress and made many of her clothes including several dresses for special life events.

After high school following in her mother’s footsteps, Heather left home moving back to Fort William to attend nursing school, receiving her Diploma from the School of Nursing at McKellar General Hospital in 1969. She completed her Certificate of Intensive Care Nursing from the Winnipeg General Hospital in 1971. Heather proceeded to complete a Certificate in Adult Education from Red River Community College in 1978, then pursued her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg in 1980 and completed her Master of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1981. Heather had also started her Ph. D. and continued her love of learning through her retirement. Education was incredibly important to Heather, something she imparted to her children, nieces and nephews, encouraging her grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews to aspire to their future careers.

Heather excelled in leadership roles becoming a charge nurse at the age of 23. She worked at several hospitals during her nursing career including McKellar General Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, St. Boniface General Hospital, and Health Science Centre. Heather was experienced in a variety of healthcare settings moving from frontline care to educator, playing a key role in developing the Intensive Care Unit Course at St. Boniface General Hospital and was an Assistant Professor for the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba. Heather retired from her long career in 2014 as the Director of Patient Services Medicine for Health Sciences Centre.

Heather enjoyed traveling and fulfilled many lifelong dreams in her retirement going to Italy, Scotland, Arizona, Boston, and Chicago. She also crossed off lifetime bucket list items by taking a hot air balloon ride with Nolan and riding in a 1952 MG TD, her dream car. Over the years, Heather made many trips to Thunder Bay to visit with family, friends and attend nursing school reunions. Heather was always up for a road trip and went on several other getaways with family.

Heather loved to decorate, from interior design to seasonal decorating. She was the first of anyone we know to have a tree for all seasons and occasions!

Traditions were important to Heather. At family gatherings, she made a point of trying to connect with everyone one-on-one for a conversation and update on what mattered most in each person’s life at the time. Hosting family and friends in her home was such an important part of Heather’s essence, this allowed time to visit and relax in her home, sunroom, or her manicured backyard. Gardening had become a relatively new passion and she always had new and exciting plans for her yard. Heather was known for her delicious cheesecakes and most recently enjoyed creating charcuterie boards for entertaining in her home.

If you knew Heather, you knew that there was a love of turtles, particularly sea turtles, and over the years the collection of decorative turtles expanded to all parts of her home.

Heather’s calendar over the last few years was jammed with events, which primarily consisted of attending ALL the activities of her grandchildren as well as those of her great-nieces and nephews. No matter the weather – Heather could be found in an arena watching hockey or ringette, at dance recitals, baseball, football, or soccer games, etc. You name it – she was there navigating maps and conflicting schedules to catch as much of a game as she could. Heather was so proud to watch each accomplishment and she often asked questions to understand the rules of the game.

Not to mention her activities! Heather’s social calendar was busy with her cherished family and friends as well. Friday nights were reserved for dinner with her siblings, often sharing a meal at the Seine River Café. Monday afternoons were a precious protected time for weekly Zoom Calls with her Nursing Friends. Heather had a special group of friends that each played a role in her active social calendar that included; season tickets to the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Winnipeg Folk Festival and Jazz Festival, her weekly golf games, and let’s not forget her classes at the Good Neighbours Active Living Centre at Bronx Park Community Centre which included meditation and yoga classes. Heather had taken art classes, learning to paint and draw while most recently becoming a self-taught crafter of wreaths and decorations. She loved Pinterest and the ideas she had were endless not to mention the supplies waiting to be used!

Heather was also always on the hunt for the best deal and was an expert shopper when it came to dollar store finds, locating the “right” item, and paying the best price. Heather had a zest for life and we miss her so much already along with her curiosity for learning new things.

“to the world you may be one person, but to one person you were the world”

Thank you to the Health Sciences Centre Emergency Department Team and MICU Team for their attentive care and compassion.

A Celebration of Heather’s Life will be held on February 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm at The Gates on Roblin, 6945 Roblin Blvd, Headingley, MB.

Heather generously donated to many charities, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.