Heather Dianne Labun

Heather Dianne Johnson(Labun) was born in Vancouver General Hospital on April 24, 1943, delivered by Dr. Isabelle Day. At birth, she needed time in an incubator because she was so tiny. Being so tiny, her parents had to put her in a dresser drawer for a bed. As a small child, she was a wild thing, and as her baby picture shows, she was anything but mild mannered. Shoes were not an item for her – she’d rather go barefoot. This continued, even into her adult years…Heather was always musically inclined, loved to sing, and played the accordion well. Come Christmas time, you would find her with her sister and friends out Christmas carolling to earn money to buy presents for the family. In her junior high school years, Heather often had leading roles in High school operettas. She was a member of glee clubs and choirs as well. When she became of working age, she held different types of jobs while attending school. These included working at Dairy Queen, a door factory, and a cannery, among other things. When she left school, she attended Vancouver Vocational institute and became a practical nurse. She loved her patients, and would sometimes neglect her duties to sing and give back rubs to them.

Her parents were people of faith, and during her childhood, she would attend the nearest church, as my father’s construction jobs took us around the province. Her father died in 1959, when Heather was only fifteen, in an industrial accident. After returning to the Burnaby area, Heather attended the Catholic Church and sang in their choir. After one of the choir practices, she happened to run into a tall, blond man, fell in love, and married him seven months later. They married on June 4, 1966. Her husband’s occupation and job led them to move to Calgary, Alberta, and they had two children together. David was born in 1967 and Michelle in 1968. Her cousin Ray took Heather to Parkdale Missionary church shortly after she moved to Calgary. Unfortunately, her marriage ended, and she moved to the north part of Calgary at that time.

Christian friends really reached out to Heather at this difficult time. Her need for the Lord really increased, as she began to attempt to raise two young children all on her own. In the late 70s, she returned to school for upgrading, and to get a job to support her children. She then worked part time for a courier and then at the City of Calgary Daycare. During these years, she developed some health issues, which continued to debilitate her as the years went on. Her faith continued to grow over the years, and she was re-baptized in 1978. She got involved in the choir at church, and her life began to center itself around the church.

Heather enjoyed travelling, and though she didn’t get to live out her dreams of travelling the globe, she was thankful for the parts of it that she did get to see. Heather had a jar in her closet that said “Europe or Bust” but the total never seemed to exceed 50 cents. She was close with her mother, and her mother would arrange for family visits to the coast, and even to Hawaii in 1980. Her mother also made regular family trips to see Heather and the kids in Calgary, or sent money for them to visit her. She passed away unexpectedly in 1990, and due to it being the holiday season, Heather was unable to reach her before she died. It was always a regret to Heather than neither of her parents got to meet her grandchildren. With the passing of her mother, she was able to purchase her home, and provide a roof over her children’s heads.

Everything Heather did revolved around her children, and her family. She made many sacrifices for her kids, and always tried to make sure they had what they needed. Her church family and her own family also helped in many ways to provide what was needed. Groceries would arrive on the doorstep and the most opportune times. It was important to Heather to see that her children followed the Lord, and that they did was a delight to her. As her children grew, both of them married, and she was pleased to welcome their spouses, and even more pleased to welcome 6 grandchildren into her world.

Health issues restricted Heather’s activities, but she really poured into her role as “grandma.” They could be themselves around her, and she loved them individually, and immensely. She was truly a friend for each of them. Two of the most important joy-giving aspects of her life in the last ten to fifteen years were her grandchildren and her Bible Study. Bible Study fellowship allowed her to stretch and grow in beautiful ways. As her health worsened, Heather started to think of the things she hoped to live to see. One of the things was a cruise with her sister Colleen, which she took last year. Another was to see her oldest grandson graduate, which she did this past June. She enjoyed a lengthy summer holiday with her daughter and family in Quebec, and travelled the maritime coast with them.

After returning home from her summer vacation with her daughter, she managed to catch a ride with a friend to visit her sister in Kamloops. She spent a week with her sister Colleen, and after returning home in good spirits, the Lord took her home. She was well loved and will be fondly remembered.