Heather Belle Millar

We are heartbroken to announce the death of our mother, Heather Belle Millar (née McDowell), on Thursday, September 8, 2022. She held a special place in the hearts of so many people, and she will be deeply missed.

Heather was predeceased by her husband Bruce, in 2013.

Those precious to Heather in life include her love Brian Johnson; her children Erin (Ryan Demeter), Nathan (Stefanie); her grandchildren Grady and Finnegan; her sister Colleen Milton, and Colleen’s husband Doug, who Heather thought the absolute world of. She enjoyed the time she had to connect with her nephews and nieces, Ben, Eric, Jodie, Michael, Nissa, Nicole and Matthew.

We want to acknowledge the significant impact this incredible woman had on those around her, and suffice to say, she had a big, generous heart that held her family from afar close, and forged bonds with many bonus children of all ages. She had forever connections with co-workers from Foster’s, White’s, and Deloitte; folks that we got to know as well, some in person, and some through the stories she told us.

We have also had the privilege to get to know the Johnson family over the past 8 years, and we know Mom held each of you in her heart. We look forward to continuing to grow our chosen family connections in the years to come.

Deadlines prevent us from detailing each relationship Mom had, family and friend. Please know that as we wrote, we held you close, and we look forward to connecting with you in the coming days.

Heather read every book ever written – we are not kidding. She could read a book a day if she wanted to; sleep be damned. Her love for reading was contagious, and you can find many pictures of her cuddled up to one of her grandchildren, sharing a storybook. She was a photographer, she loved knitting and crocheting as well as gardening with an expert’s green thumb. She had a creative gift for floral design and took great joy in creating a space she loved to live in. She loved color; any shade of green but particularly a bright green – think Kermit the Frog.

We have fond memories travelling with Mom on vacations through British Columbia, snorkelling in the Shuswap and Okanagan lakes looking for ice cream money floating on the bottom. She loved camping and hiking in the beautiful mountains of Kananaskis, and spent many hours with her loved ones, a fishing hook in the water. Heather and Brian had just returned from a cross-country trip with Doug and Colleen, which saw them cover 12,000 kilometers from Calgary to Nova Scotia. There, and back again.

Thinker and writer Adam Grant wrote, when someone is “grieving, a powerful way to show you care is to ask about the person they lost. It gives them a chance to express their love, honor their loved ones legacy, and reconnect with the joy they felt together.” So we ask you to join us for the Celebration of Mom’s Life. It will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

We would love to see you, hear your memories of Mom, and reconnect with our joy together.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Bruce Millar Memorial Scholarship, which is managed by the Calgary Performing Arts Festival, please contact Mike Jewitt at [email protected] for more information.