Missing Heather..still can’t believe she’s gone.  She was such a kind free-spirited soul and always thinking of others. Love you cuz ❤️🙏🏻💐

Missing my sister at this two year anniversary of her passing. I think of her every single day. Miss her laugh, beautiful face and advice. 

Heather came from such a great family n we were blessed by living in same city. She was a great lifeguard, friend, and all around great person. Too young to be taken from her family. God bless❤. 

We remember this young lady back in the 80's as a close family friend n lifeguard ( for our boys) at the Salem Country Club. U couldn't meet a nicer person. Thank u for posting the pictures. She has grown into a beautiful woman but taken too quickly. Miss  u Salem people, Mori, Mac n Sheehan. The Palmers.

Joe...my heart is breaking for you.  Words cannot express  how much.  

Precious is the word that comes to mind when I think of Heather...She was humble and kind. Beautiful and true in every way.   And how much she loved my brother has endeared her to my heart forever.  She is missed every moment.

My condolences to Heather's family and all her friends and colleagues.  I met Heather back in the 1990s.  Not only was she a smart, intelligent woman, she was also a very nice person.  Kind, personable, friendly, always with a smile and a positive demeanor.  She took over as CEO of one of the major fire service organizations in the USA as a very young woman. So glad NVFC  recognized her leadership skills and entrusted her with leadership of the volunteer fire service.   She was devoted to NVFC and passionate about the fire service.  Heather was the kind of person that made me feel lucky to have known her - there are people that enhance our existence and that whether you see them every day or once a year it is like you have never been apart.  Dear Heather, rest in peace.  You will always be remembered and loved by those who had the privilege of knowing you.

Heather, I will never forget the day you welcomed me into the NVFC family.  I was so nervous and your encouraging words made my first-day jitters go away!  I will truly miss you and your leadership and God Bless. 

Heather....my favorite cousin, a great friend and loved you like a sister. So many wonderful memories...from kids hanging at Salem Country club, your house and Guilford Lake to spending time as parents  with our kids. They loved you so much...you were the ‘coolest’ cousin!! So blessed to have you in my life and so happy to see you enjoying life with Joe. You deserved so much good in the world because you always put others first. Until we meet again ❤️

We are going to miss Heather. I’ve only known her for 20 years but from the beginning she treated me like family. I could not have had a better sister-in-law. Actually, being an only child, I always wanted a younger sister. In her I had one. I will miss giving her a hug when seeing each other, sharing laughs, and drinking wine on her porch back in the day. We, Sheehan, her, Mac and I were supposed to grow old together. I am sad that we won’t be able to that with her. I love her and look forward to having a glass of wine, a hug, and laughs in heaven.

Our dearest cousin,Heather
We will miss you so much. Our families grew up together, we had so much fun over the years. We would visit you in your home in Millersville,sometimes at Thanksgiving and other times during the summer. You introduced us to Rehoboth Beach, that was your favorite beach, and soon became one of our favorites.  We are so grateful for those times and when you would come to visit your dad in Salem, you always made time to visit us here in Canton.
You truly did find your soul mate in Joe. What a great guy!! You were truly blessed.
Rest in heaven now
We love you
Steve and Cheryl

I’m sorry for your loss. Heather was a caring person and well-liked.  Heather was a childhood friend of mine in Salem along with her family. We enjoyed time at the Salem Country Club and at her family’s home on Newgarden next to the Drotleff family that used to take care of me. 

I first met Heather when I joined the NHTSA (US DOT)  Office of EMS in 1995 as she had recently taken over in her leadership role at the NVFC.  Through the years, Heather and I would catch-up at many national EMS and fire service meetings across the U.S. - and after pushing to improve fire and EMS in meetings all day - we'd mostly chat about THE Ohio State Buckeyes or the magic of the Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay area.  I will so terribly miss getting the chance to work with and then catch up with Heather.  My thoughts and prayers are with her and all of her family and friends.  

Words cannot express my shock and sadness at Heather's passing. I am so grateful that I was able to work with her these past 15 years. She was my boss, mentor, and friend, and I will always cherish those years at the NVFC with her at the helm. She was the best kind of person - smart, kind, compassionate, fun, and dedicated. I will always remember her sunny attitude, her ability to make things happen, and her commitment to the volunteer fire service and NVFC staff. Her work at the NVFC will have a long-term positive impact on the first responder community across the nation. I will miss her greatly. I send my sincere condolences to her family and friends during this most difficult time.

I would like to send my sincere condolences to Heather's family and to express how much she will  be missed as a member of the California Casualty Advisory Board.   Heather was a joy to be with, was an active participant in Board issues, and a constant contributor whose professionalism will be greatly missed.  

Although I did not know Heather that well since I have not been an active member of the California Casualty Advisory Board for quite a few years, she was always an exceptionally pleasant and friendly person. Her smile radiated friendship and warmth.
 
She was clearly a conscientious Advisory Board member although somewhat quiet in her demeanor but always constructive in her contributions.  A very nice  combination of attributes, in my opinion.
 
I am sure we will all miss her very much. Her loss came much too soon in her relatively young life.

Tom Brown
Chairman Emeritus
California Casualty

What a terrible loss. Heather was a positive, friendly but tenacious leader facing the greatest challenge in our business: the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters-and the overall survival of the volunteer fire service. Faced with so many societal challenges, her team and the leadership of the NVFC worked tirelessly everyday to support and grow the volunteer fire service. As sad as it is, at a time when Heather is so needed most, we lose her but our loss pales in comparison to her family and closest of friends. A grim reminder of how precious life is. Thankfully, due to Heather's dedication and leadership, her work, ideas and vision will last for many years to come. My sincere condolences to her family, friends and the team at NFVC. Clearly, What Would Heather Do?" will be on the minds and hearts of so many in the days, weeks and years to come as her legacy continues on. She made such a difference and she is gone far too soon. Rest In Peace my friend, Billy 

I was so sorry to hear of Heather's passing.  She has been such an amazing partner for research in the fire service and a wealth of knowledge for our team over the years.  Please know how much she will be missed and that she has left so many lasting fingerprints. Much love to all her family and friends.  Sara

Heather was a beautiful person inside and out.  The room would light up when she walked in.  Her heart was full of kindness and thoughtfulness.  She was a great listener and provided comfort and laughter.  The girls dinner will not be the same without her.  I will forever miss Heather’s friendship.

As Heather’s  relative ,  I will always remember  many  family gatherings  at her family  home  Of Renna and Jim. Morrison,  when Heather was a  Little girl.  RIP.        Cousin,  Aurelia Sutcliffe

Heather was my boss for 15 years - but she was so much more than a boss. She was a mentor and a friend.  She had high expectations for everything and everybody -and that encouraged everyone around her to do their best and more.  In and out of work, she had an innate ability to truly understand others - to know what they need to hear in any given moment or to predict what reactions they may have or what questions they may need answered.  About all else, in the 15 years I got to have her in my life, it was evident that she had great  love for her family and friends.  Even though I have met some only once or twice, and some I've never met at all, I feel like I've gotten to know so many of you through Heather over the years.    My thoughts are with all of her loved ones during this very difficult time.  

I had the pleasure of serving with Heather on the California Casualty Advisory Board.   I first met her, when we were evaluating candidates for a position on the board.  We met in the Reagan airport and she immediately impressed me; in many ways her qualities were understated.   But her many talents - of listening well and of helping to bring together consensus soon became apparent.   Those skills are always useful but they were necessary for navigating the uncertain waters of the insurance industry and for a company who focus is on serving teachers, nurses, fire fighters and public safety personnel - those who serve.  I am sure her skills served her well in her role with the fire fighters but they were especially appreciated on the CCIE board.  

Heather was one of the kindest people I've ever met. We always joked around together, we'd challenge each other on the activity app (she always won 
(｡ŏ﹏ŏ)), and she always comforted me whenever I needed it, often without even realizing (I never really talked about stuff upsetting me that often). Even if she never legally married my dad, I'm still happy to call her my step-mother.

So sorry for the loss. A wonderful lady. 

Heather was such a wonderful person.  She was kind and generous.  She and Joe were such a great couple. God bless her family and the ones she loved.

I met Heather through the NVFC almost two decades ago. However, it was exciting when we figured out we shared a connection of both being from Salem, Ohio. I admired her leaving our small town to go do big things in the world. She was inspiring.  Her passion and dedication for emergency services were something to be admired. She was a role model to many. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with her family at home and her NVFC family. 

I loved working with Heather to update the kitchen in her home. She had such a sense of style and picked beautiful finishes. She and I worked with Sherry Certeza the designer to create her new space. It turned out amazing! I still talk about her project to new clients. 

I first met Heather in 2008 after being appointed to the NVFC to represent West Virginia.  Heather was a dynamic force and a fervent advocate for our organization and its constituents.  She was always smiling and positive.  No one could ever question her loyalty to our Council nor her tenacious problem solving skills.  We were on a conference call just last week and it reminds us all of how precious time and life are and how we should be grateful for those we encounter on our journey.  I am forever grateful for having known Heather and express my my deepest sympathies to her family - both blood kin and her broader NVFC family.  May God Bless and guide us in this difficult time. 

Will, Joe and Heather's family:
Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this most challenging time.  Please know that Heather's impact on the fire service was powerful and her legacy will continue to flourish the volunteer fire service for decades to come.  Thank you so very much for sharing her with us.  
Heather:  You are my extended family, the fire service is a close knit family.  Family is a circle of strength, love and hope.  You have certainly made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many volunteer firefighters, rescue personnel and EMS providers throughout our great Nation.   Rest in Peace my Friend!  The Quinn's (Kevin & LeeAnn) RI

OBITUARY

Heather Shea Schafer

October 10, 1968 – March 15, 2021

John M. Taylor Funeral Home

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