She was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to parents Dr. Alan McMillan and Dr. Margaret MacMurdo McMillan.
Heather grew up active and creative, figure skating, dancing ballet and playing tennis. For 26 years, she shared in the annual family tradition of traveling and cycling across parts of Canada. She studied English literature and graduated with Honours from Mount Saint Vincent University, having also attended the Universities of Western and Acadia. Her artistic talent led her to a rewarding career in the film industry, during which she rose to the position of 1st Assistant Director. She made contributions to such films as Fly Away Home, Emily of New Moon, The Scarlet Letter, Kids in the Hall, Trailer Park Boys and others. In 2008, she wrote and produced Running Into Edna, a short film based on her own life experiences, which was broadcast nationally on CBC. Heather was an avid cook, having taken courses with Bonnie Stern. She loved to travel, and spent time in Europe, Mexico and the Canadian Arctic, and took pride in having endured a sub-zero polar dip during her time in the North. Heather’s most cherished accomplishment, her greatest joy and the love of her life was her son, Dorset.
Heather’s most endearing traits were her empathy, compassion and kind-heartedness. She was creative and known to be funny and loving. Her humour, self-deprecating and endearing, regaled many gatherings of friends and family over the years and lit up everyone around her.
Heather was predeceased by her father Dr. Alan McMillan. Heather is survived by her son Dorset McMillan Houston, her step daughter Becky Kilabuk, her mother Dr. Margaret MacMurdo McMillan, her sister Janet McMillan (Aidan Carey), her companion Edward Walsh, her friend and father of her son and step daughter, John Houston, her niece and nephew Katie and Matthew Dempsey, and many loving cousins.
A service in Heather’s memory will be held at the J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, on Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund, which Heather once worked for and in which she always believed.
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