Heather Dawn McLeod

A candle has burned out to soon! It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our younger sister, Heather Dawn McLeod. Heather passed away at 12:15 a.m. on March 4, 2020. Her life shortened after a vigilant five year battle with lung cancer. She was a lifelong non-smoker.

Heather was raised in Transcona by her parents Clarence and Shirley (nee Dusenbury) McLeod, both deceased. She was also predeceased by her special aunt and uncle Grace and George Dusenbury, her brother-in-law Ron as well as her pets Cody and Puff.

She is survived by her twin sisters Debbie McLeod and Cathie Block (Roland) and her feline on the shoulder Sir Sealy Wheelie (Seal) and Lady Bella (Bells).

Heather attended the field of schools Radisson, John W. Gunn and Transcona Collegiate. Then off to the University of Manitoba where she studied political science and nutrition.

A lifelong love of cooking that she inherited from her mom led her to share her many culinary talents with family and friends. She could cook it all and was famous for her special occasion meals and her baked cheesecakes. She loved to experiment with recipes and add-on “secret” ingredients.

Heather had a lifelong love of all animals both big and small and she could be seen helping any animal in distress. As a toddler she had a pet goose, yes goose, which she could ride on. Animals of all kinds were drawn to her.

Heather enjoyed many happy times at the family cottage at Fox Lake (Wade) Ontario where she was dad’s fishing buddy. She could also be seen enjoying boating, swimming and picking blueberries as well as trips in to Kenora. Later on the family would purchase a motor home that would open the horizons to more travel. There were many trips taken through Canada and the United States. Many repeat trips to Detroit Lakes for the summer where water skiing was taken up and many memories made.

Heather enjoyed two trips to Europe where she traveled through many interesting countries (in particular England and Scotland) and drove on their many highways while making lifelong memories.

She had a lifelong love of reading and learning in which she could always be seen soaking up a good book and taking in knowledge. We referred to her as our Google even before Google.

She would later move to River Heights where she lived and enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors. She worked for Portage Avenue Family Foods for over thirty years where she made lifelong friendships with coworkers and customers alike.

Debbie and Cathie would like to give special thanks to Dr. David Dawe and the staff at Clinic 2 at Cancer Care and her friend Karen Henderson for their help during these difficult times. Also special thanks to the staff at Deer Lodge Centre on Tower 6 for their compassionate care at this most difficult time.

Cremation has taken place. Respecting Heather’s wishes no formal service will be held and a private interment in the family plot in Boissevain will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or D’Arcys ARC.