It is with heavy hearts we share the sad news of mom’s passing. Floating in a sea of love from her father, siblings, children, grandchildren and close friends in the days prior, Heather passed peacefully in the first still minutes of the morning with her daughter by her side.
Predeceased by her mother Marion Wanke, Heather is survived by her father Harry (Molly) Kerr; daughter Kandace (Jesse) Dunning; son Brandon (Brianna) Wanke; grandchildren Gage, Vaughn and Brooklynne; sisters Lauri Kerr, Jackie (Ralph) Knells; brothers James (Doris) Wanke, Tony (Ina) Wanke, Bob Wanke; and stepfather Ernest Wanke. Countless aunts, uncles, cousins (as far away as New Zealand), nieces, nephews and dear friends share in their sorrow.
Raised in Richmond and Fort St John, B.C. Heather flowered into an incredibly strong and fiercely independent woman, starting a family in Grande Prairie, Alberta before her journey carried her on to Prince George in the summer of 1993.
Heather always had her sights on living near the ocean, she realized this dream in 2004 when she moved to Vancouver Island. You could find her down at the lagoon or sitting along the Gorge each day as she took in the peace that the water brought her. Catching even a few minutes of the waves and salt air created her own personal zen.
Heather’s family was her world and she was happiest in the summer months hosting Grandma camps where she spent special time with each of her three grandchildren Brooklynne, Vaughn & Gage. Grandma Purple (as she was known to the kids) passed endless hours driving to/from or sitting at the ball field, hockey rink, lacrosse box and dance studio/theater, and then spent countless additional hours sharing (with anyone that would listen) pictures, videos and stories of the accomplishments of each of her three treasures.
Heather earned the respect of those around her with a straight-shooting realistic view of the world. Friends, colleagues and family knew she could be counted on as a mentor and trusted confidante. Offering words of sage advice “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first” or helping someone get on with it “You have a choice, you might not like the choice, but you always have a choice”.
Loyal to her employers, but always up for new challenges she provided administrative support to a variety of areas over 30+ years at Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC), Prince George (PG) Hospital, College of New Caledonia (CNC) and Royal Roads University (RRU).
We would like to express immense gratitude to everyone at the Royal Jubilee Hospital who provided care to Heather through her last weeks. Thank you will never be enough.
A celebration of Heather’s life will be held once the weather warms so that we may gather at her favourite spot by the water. Until then, when the hummingbirds come to visit you, know it is Heather letting you know she is nearby.
Rest easy our sweet Queen of Purple.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a Donation to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation in Heather’s memory.
Condolences and memories can be shared with the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Lauren Hume
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Alison Moran Kandace, Brandon, and all her family,
Your tribute really catches Heather’s spark. She loved you all so much and always shared her delight in time spent with you – yes – we saw the photos 🙂 Most of all, she wanted the best for you.
I feel lucky to have known Heather. Her laugh was infectious and her advice considered – a true friend in fair and foul weather. She could make the smallest events fun – and her office decorations were hilarious. Who could forget the purple fireplace at Christmas, with all her grandchildren’s names on the stockings. I will always think of Heather with hummingbirds. She loved them. We shared some great adventures banding – she was an excellent and dedicated scribe (even braving my driving on occasion).
Heather – Thank you for being my friend.
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Diane Van Bakel I had the pleasure of working with Heather at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. She was my first contact and trained me back in 2001. She was a wonderful lady with a fantastic sense of humor. Condolences to her whole family.
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Jonathan Moran Heather was a beautiful soul whose laugh could brighten any day. She was a great friend to me and I will miss her.
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Lorna Bradley Lorna
Dear Harry and Molly,
So very sorry for the loss of Heather. My many thoughts and prayers are with you and
your family.
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Carol Louch I am sending my deepest condolences to you Kandace and Brandon and your families.
I still can’t believe she is gone and I will our conversations and our weekly Bingo and Aqua Fit. Heather was a wonderful friend and co-worker and she will always be in my thoughts.
Rest in Peace, Heather, until we meet again.
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Jeremy, katy, haydyn brooks Sending our deepest condolences to your family lots of love ❤️ your mom was an amazing person. always great to see her at the rink cheering on the boys. lots of love ❤️ the brooks family
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Sally Hannah Deepest condolences to all the family.
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Harry and Molly Kerr Beautifully written Kandace. You covered it all. It is still hard to believe she has gone. Still coming to terms with it. Be sure to take some time to grieve yourself. You did a wonderful job of advocating for Heather and now it is time to miss her. Love to you , Jesse, Gage and Vaughn
Granny and Gramps.
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Sandra willows aa Dear Jackie, I cannot say how sorry I am for your family – we all love the time spent with her and you. Lots of love and take good care of yourself.
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Beth Milliken Kandace, Brandon and families, this is a wonderful tribute to Heather. I remember her saying you always have a choice. Often if I thought I had no choice, I would hear Heather’s voice telling me thatI did. I will never see a hummingbird again without thinking of her. Until we meet again, Heather.
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Diny van Beers She will be sorely missed! We shared a special friendship for many years (since 1998). I loved her dearly and will miss her sense of humour and brilliant insights. She was one smart woman, who I admired greatly. Rest in peace Heather. You are always in my heart.
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Christina Boivin Sorry to hear of Heather’s passing. I worked with her at GPRC. Such a sweet lady
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Betty ( Reay) Deveau Kandace, Brandon, Jim, Tony, Jackie , Laurie and all her family and friends. My sincere condolences.
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April Sending so much love to her amazing family. May the warm memories you have of her help bring peace to your hearts as you navigate this grief together.
Dear Kandace, Brandon and your families,
I may not have known Heather for as long as many of the people on here but she left such an impression on me in the few years that I did have the pleasure of getting to know her. I met Heather in November 2019 when we started working together at RRU. Much of the time she was supposed to be training me, we spent talking about all the best foods, planning our next lunch date, and looking at all the photos she had on her computer of her family. She loved her family so much and shared so many stories about you all, especially of her grandkids. I am so sorry for your loss. I miss Heather a lot… I miss our conversations, surprising her with donuts at work, our lunch dates, hanging out at the lagoon watching the waves with her, and listening to all her stories. When I hear Queen music or see anything purple, I will always think of her. I know she wasn’t much for hugs but I’m sending many to you and your family. Heather was a force to be reckoned with in the best way possible and will be greatly missed.
~Lauren