Heather Margaret Pittas

Born 59 years ago in April; married 19 years ago in April, our beloved Heather died peacefully April 24 at the Palliative Care Unit of the Victoria General Hospital site in Halifax. A warm, vibrant woman she has gone far too soon.

Born in Edmonton in 1951 the youngest of four children to the Very Reverend Angus J. MacQueen and his wife Minetta, Heather grew up in London, Ontario and Toronto. Summers were spent at the family cottage on the Mira, and like her parents her soul was rooted in Cape Breton and its culture.

Heather is survived by her husband, Nick Pittas, daughters, Anna and Rosie, of Halifax, and by her sisters Marian (Colin McNairn), Joan (John Warren) and Barbara, all of Toronto. She is also survived by her nieces Heather Tanti, Katie Warren, Martha Norton and nephew James McNairn also of Toronto. She was predeceased by her father and mother, and nephew Stewart Warren.

Heather attended Dalhousie University and graduated with a B.A. in 1972. After travels in Europe she studied at McGill University from where she received a B. Ed. in 1974. Over the next several years she worked variously as a schoolteacher and later in banking services in N.S., B.C. and Ontario. During this period she also went around the world with her first husband Bill Niven, including across the former Soviet Union on the Trans Siberian Express.

She settled in Nova Scotia in 1979 and had careers as a stock broker and in corporate training and development with the TD Bank in Halifax, where she was involved among other things with the establishment locally of the Green Line service, the first Canadian discount securities broker.

In 1991 she married Nick Pittas, and returned to Dalhousie to enroll in the Masters of Arts program in Adult Education from where she received her M.A in 1994. In 1993 she took the position of Manager of Learning and Development at the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, and over the next 13 years played a pivotal role in transforming the workplace to one dedicated to continuous learning and improvements in the staff employment culture at the Board.

In 1997 Heather and Nick welcomed their first daughter Anna into their family, and two years later she was joined by their younger daughter Rosie.

Heather retired from the WCB in 2006 to spend more time with her growing children and she cherished those precious days with her family.

Throughout her life, as a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, friend or colleague, Heather gave her love generously to all who knew her. A woman of strong feelings, she cared as much for the feelings of others as her own. She will be sorely missed by all those whose lives were enriched by her abundant love.

Heather’s zest for life, her ready humor and indomitable spirit will be long remembered by, and comfort her surviving family and friends. A courageous woman, she lived her values openly. Timeless values that sprang fresh from her love of family and friends, her examined faith and capacity to feel deeply her own truth and that of others.

There will be visitations at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home on Robie Street between 2:00 – 4:00 p.m and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m on Tuesday April 27, 2010. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at St. Andrew’s United Church on Robie Street at 1:00 p.m., Rev. Linda Yates officiating, with reception to follow at the Church. A private interment will follow later.

In place of flowers the family suggests contributions to St John’s United Church Building Fund, Halifax in Heather’s memory. We also wish to thank the dedicated staff of the Palliative Care Unit for their care, comfort and compassion during Heather’s final days.

Please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com