Heather Pereira

The world lost a beautiful soul with the passing of Heather Pereira, 35, of Roselle, NJ, on Thursday July 25, 2019. She died suddenly following a brief illness at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Rahway, NJ.

Heather was born January 5, 1984 to Joe Nidowicz and the late Eileen O’Dea in Secaucus, NJ. She had a large extended family of siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents who were immediately captivated by her blonde hair, sweet disposition and shy smile.

After spending her childhood years in Jersey City, Heather moved with her mother to Budd Lake and graduated from Mount Olive High School in 2002. A bright student and accomplished artist, Heather went on to the Maryland College Institute of Art in Baltimore, where she graduated with honors with a bachelor in fine arts degree in 2006. She excelled in book making and, especially, in photography. Among her subjects, sometimes in color and other times in black and white, were family members, whom she often graced with the photos she took.

During her career, Heather worked for photography studios, taking countless pictures of students and athletes that no doubt still hang in frames on the walls of homes throughout the area.

Heather met her husband Mark in 2006 at a young age. After a year of being friends, they started dating. Their love story continued and they had not one, but two weddings. The first one was a civil ceremony with their immediate family in 2013 and the second one was a big church wedding with a celebratory reception on February 22, 2014.

She leaves behind her loving husband of eight years, Mark Pereira; her father Joe Nidowicz, and beloved sister Doreene Nidowicz of Cedar Grove and Brother Joseph Nidowicz and sister-in-law, Christina from Woodridge, NJ.

When she married Mark, she extended her immediate family to Mark’s parents, John and Teresa Periera of Union, NJ and his brother, Jason and sister-in-law, Brihann Pereira. Heather was very close with her five nephews. She attended so many events for them including birthdays, communions, christening and graduations --- always with her camera. Her nephews, Ian Weiner, Jarrett and JoJo Nidowicz, Duke and Brent Pereira will certainly feel the loss of their beloved aunt and confidant.

Devastated by her loss are a large extended family: Aunts and Uncles: Arlene (Sissy) and Mickey Doyle of Kearny; Maureen Burke of Point Pleasant; Diane and Bill Sheridan of Tampa, Florida; Sharon and Richie Jaeger of Hazlet; Valerie Dykes of Phoenix, Arizona; Colleen O’Dea of High Bridge; William O’Dea Jr. of Jersey City; cousins Billy Sheridan, Mickey Doyle, Lisa Cappa, Shawn Sheridan, Mark Doyle, Scott Sheridan, Kelly Doyle, Melissa Lombardo, Michele Doyle, Craig Sheridan, Mary Jennifer Jaeger, James Burke Jr., Megan Burke, Richard Jaeger Jr., William Wyckoff and Kevin Wyckoff.

Heather was also blessed to have many second cousins that she loved and adored Amanda, Frank and Meagan Cappa, Justin, Victoria and Lyndsay Johnson, Austin and Jonathan Lombardo, Ashley, Kendall and Jackson Larger, and Amelia Jaeger.

Also mourning the loss of a great friend is a large network of friends with whom Heather loved spending time. She had many lifelong friends that extended to their children. Any person that she met would remember her as gentle and kind.

Even when using her cell phone camera, Heather continued to serve as the photographer of record for social events, parties and dinners with friends and family, documenting her life with those she loved. She enjoyed travelling, first with her beloved mother and later with her husband and friends. These trips took her across the country and outside it, including many exotic locales. The delight she experienced is clear from her online posts; her motto on Facebook is, “Live, Laugh, Love.”

Heather’s other great joy were her animals. Although she had allergies, Heather found it hard to say, “No,” to a dog. Buddy, Kali and Emma are grieving for their caring owner.

A memorial visitation for Heather will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083, followed by a funeral service from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to North Shore Animal League to support no kill shelters.