Heather Gay MacDonald

“I want to do interesting things”. This was the recurring statement that Heather made 39 years ago as she and Ian discussed their plans for their life together.

By this time, Heather had already proven her intent to do interesting things. The fourth of six children, she was the first to leave home from Eastern Prince Edward Island to pursue a university education.

Growing up on a farm, where her father also ran a sawmill, Heather developed the virtues of patience, integrity, and perseverance, as well as her faith in God thanks to strong parental and other role models. She placed particular emphasis on the 4th Commandment, “Honour thy father and mother.” While at the University of New Brunswick working towards her Bachelor of Science degree, Heather made lifelong friends and also found the time to learn how to parachute jump and downhill ski.

Her education continued at Dalhousie University where she completed a Master of Science in Microbiology. Heather ultimately became a civilian member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, where she worked in the Halifax Forensic Laboratory as a Forensic Biologist for over 30 years.

Her curiosity and pursuit of growth continued. Heather learned how to paint, play the piano, and curl. Along the way, this reserved, confident, and resilient woman also took lessons to help overcome her discomfort with public speaking.

Ian is particularly thankful that she sought opportunities to improve her public speaking. He remembers fondly of their first meeting at a Toastmasters club one evening in Halifax where they sat opposite from each other.

Heather’s persistence, a positive attribute almost all of the time, was proven further when she ensured that Ian learned to ski! Given Heather’s accomplishments, Ian had hoped he could “measure up” and keep interesting things happening. So why not let Heather enroll him in ski lessons at the tender age of 40?

After their marriage in 1988, they moved to a house on Preston Street. Over the years, the house was regularly under renovation, transforming into their ultimate family home, guided by Heather’s careful creative eye for design and decoration.

Heather and Ian continued their adventures, including travel to Europe and South America, but the most defining journeys they made together were the ones that brought their daughters, Jill and Chloe, home to Halifax. And thus, began a journey most dear to her, of being a loving and nurturing mother.

Music, visual arts, sports, school and church activities were the norm for the MacDonald family. Vacations to PEI and abroad, including the family’s winter trips to Mexico, rounded out the desires of Heather and Ian that their whole family should do interesting things together. Heather had always stressed that family trips were to be prioritized, while her family was healthy and assured of safe travels.

Heather loved her work and with it maintained she truly had a full and happy life. She presented case and research papers at Forensic Science conferences, and was part of the Halifax Lab team that learned and established the applications for DNA analysis. She regularly testified in Supreme Court as an expert witness. Ultimately, she retired from the Forensic Lab having been in a leadership position for some 10 years.

In her retirement, Heather continued to support local church and community services, including volunteering for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and food delivery with Meals on Wheels. Her most favourite of times were spent in the garden, spending late summer days back in PEI, and strolling through Point Pleasant Park with Ian, Jill, Chloe, and Belle, the family’s miniature poodle.

Like all of us Heather was acquainted with disappointment and loss. Her resilience and faith kept her grounded, giving her the privilege to witness miracles. As her illness forced her into declining health, her nature and personality never changed, and she continued to acknowledge the joy that being around her family and friends brought her. This beautiful and gracious woman remained so until she was called home.

Heather was the daughter of the late Ervin and Lorna (nee Kidson) Robertson, of Kingsboro, PEI.

She is survived by her husband, and best friend, Ian; daughters, Jill (Catherine) and Chloe. She is also survived by sisters and brothers; Anna Keus (Mike); Glen (Laura); Richard on PEI; and her dear Doris McEachern (Peter), Vancouver. She was predeceased by her brother, Walter.

Visitation will be from 4 pm to 7 pm, Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the St. Carlo Acutis Centre, and funeral will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Thursday October 30, 2025, 11:30 am, both located at 1725 Oxford Street. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Good Shepherd Parish Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Halifax or the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia would be appreciated.

She has fought the good fight; finished the race; and kept the faith.