heather

invictus

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

- william ernest henley

heather doris craig

june 7, 1970 - april 13, 2023

in the care of Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Heather was very happy to be surrounded by loving family members and friends (and pet dogs and kittens) during the weeks and days leading to her passing.

Heather is survived by Nancy (Mark) Williams, Barb Follett, Robert (Carol) Craig and Colin (Leah) Craig and her nieces and nephews, Kevin, Emily (Brent) and Madeline Williams, Ben (Roseel) Follett, Logan, Katelyn, Jack and Lily Craig and her aunt and uncle, Russell and Helen Lakusta, as well as many cousins on both the Craig and Lakusta sides. She is survived by her two black cats, Flotsam and Jetsam, whom she called her kittens.

Heather has gone to join her much-loved parents, Robert and Mary Craig, and her uncle, Vic Lakusta.

Heather was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 7, 1970 and grew up there until her move to attend university. Heather graduated from Dalhousie University with a degree in law in 1995. She was called to the Bar in 1996 and enjoyed a long career as a litigator at Boughton Law Corporation. Many clients became her lifelong friends. Heather had a brilliant mind. She became a shareholder of Boughton Law Corporation on January 1, 2002 at a young age and

continued in this role for many years. She sat on many committees at Boughton and was passionate about mentoring students and young lawyers. She was easily the favourite of several of her colleagues amongst the firm. She was an excellent confidante and friend to many and was known to come up with quick, creative solutions to life’s challenges.

Heather pursued and achieved her dream of living and working in Vancouver, but she remained a Calgary girl at heart.

Heather was an accomplished ballet dancer during her teenage years. She spent her summers dancing with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She continued her passion in dance by teaching ballet at the Boys and Girls Club in BC in her early years of legal practice. With a referral from her colleague, the late William (Bill) Ireland, QC, she was invited to join the board of directors of the Dance Foundation, the owner of the Scotiabank Dance Centre. She quickly rose to become Board Chair, and with her focused and determined leadership skills, and fellow board colleagues, helped steer the Dance Centre forward through the challenging transitions of the early years following the building’s

completion, including the outstanding debt related to its construction.

Heather loved travelling to Yorkshire and Italy. She truly enjoyed entertaining and is known for her love for Italian cuisine. She even took a cooking class in Tuscany, Italy with celebrated chef, Umberto Menghi. Whilst visiting Yorkshire, Heather often combined the best of both by accompanying her friend, Nina, on excursions to find delicious Italian edibles, served up as a medley in feast-quantities for supper and consumed with relish by the entire household. If sustenance was required during the day, this was found in Yorkshire’s many fine pubs - in particular, Heather was happy to judge the merits of a wide range of meat pies. Pork rinds too were often sampled. Yorkshire’s big skies and dramatic landscapes, were enjoyed very much by Heather, in the car and also, if the impulse took her and she was prepared to indulge her friend, Nina, on foot. Also, from Yorkshire, Heather was drawn to many historic places including Skipton, Bolton and Clitheroe castles, Bolton Abbey plus the treasures at its associated

heather passed away peacefully on april 13, 2023 at st. paul’s hospital in vancouver, bc at the age of 52.

Chatsworth in Derbyshire (especially those Italian marbles).

Heather was extremely fashionable and chic. The world was her runway and she always carried herself with grace and elegance. She was known for her spur-of-the-moment shopping excursions and would always be accompanied by a friend, who shares her passion. At a meet and greet at Holt Renfrew, famous French designer, Christian Louboutin, told Heather that she was exactly the type of women his shoes were intended for. What a compliment!

Heather was absolutely fanatical about men’s tennis and would watch Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. She would set her alarm to watch it live at ridiculous times and would cajole her siblings (and many others!) into watching with her. She would spend hours on the phone discussing the players, while rooting for her faves, Nadal, Federer and definitely NOT cheering for Djokovich, whom Heather called “the git”. She went to some of these tournaments in her travels and loved every minute of being there.

In past years, when she would visit her sister, Nancy, in Alberta, Heather would make gourmet meals, nap, read and watch tennis. She loved spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching disaster movies like Dante’s Peak and Jaws, and they must have watched “The Bodyguard” a million times. She was known to her nieces and nephews as the “Aunt of Vices.”

Heather had a passion for pickles, salted licorice, sushi, beef jerky, Agatha Christie, Prada, flowers, “real” Yorkshire tea, her various Beamers and her cats, who visited her at the hospital (expertly orchestrated by Nina and her longtime catsitter, Emma).

Heather developed strong friendships and her family is thankful for the relationships she had with Joyce, Nina, Saba, Annamarie, Anndraya and many others.

The Craig family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Paul’s Hospital, especially Dr. Taqui, Dr. Dau, Dr. Williscroft and her family doctor, Dr. B.K. Lim. The Craig family also wishes to thank Heather’s caregivers, Gina and Cleofe, for taking good care of Heather in the past few months.

In memory of Heather, we ask that you cook and enjoy a gourmet meal, go for a run along the seawall or curl up with a cat and a good book. Agatha Christie would be an excellent choice.

Donations in Heather’s name may be made to the SPCA or the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.

Emily Williams

niece

Heather, for as long as I have known her, which I suppose is my entire life, was a force of nature. What I find myself thinking about the most these last few days, are my memories growing up and the important role she had in our family and in my childhood. She spent a lot of true quality time with us as kids. For a young, busy professional, living a province away, she truly took the time and effort to be a part of our liveswhich, I realize now, was pretty amazing.

I remember whenever she came to visit, it was A BIG DEAL. She made it a true event, and took time to spend with each of us, thinking of thoughtful details and fun things for us to do, and sometimes helping us find a bit of trouble too. As a kid, having an adult talk to you like you are important and your thoughts are important, is incredibly meaningful. And that is exactly what Heather did. She knew exactly how to make you feel important, and how to make things wild and fun and exciting. I have such fond memories of our sleepover parties, movie nights, at home spa-days and other adventures. As I got a bit older, she started organizing trips for me to fly out and stay with her in Vancouver by myself. For a young kid who grew up on a farm, this was an exciting adventure that I

looked forward to every year. She made each visit so special, with so many fun and thoughtful outings and events, and lots and lots of laughter. I think what I enjoyed the most was how special, smart and included she made me feel. We were also lucky enough to have Heather join us on family vacation fairly regularly. She always knew how to add some spice, pizazz and frankly a bit of wildness to every trip we did. She made events special and fun, and I feel so lucky to have those memories now.

Heather also showed me the simple pleasures in buying yourself nice flowers, taking a moment to treat yourself with little things, like a nice cup of a tea and being cozy at home. These small things, along with those big memories, have been a true comfort these last few days.

As time went on, things certainly got more complex and complicated, but I choose to remember

shrieking with laughter as waves bounced us around in the ocean, running around tide pools looking for sand dollars and starfish, dressing up as the Spice Girls for Halloween, and going for gelato and making each other try out the grossest flavours, and singing loudly and poorly to Cher at top volume, with the windows rolled down in her fancy car.

Heather, I feel like things ended too soon, and I wish things could have been different. But I hope you are spending time with Grandpa and Grandma and Uncle Vic, laughing and getting to be your playful self. I hope you know that we love you and I hope things are easier and your heart is at peace now.

Love always, M.L.E

Saba Naqvi friend

The first time I met Heather was at the “State of the Firm” meeting at Boughton in April of 2008. This was the first opportunity I had to meet many of the Boughton lawyers in advance of my start at the firm. I was immediately curious as to who she was, sitting next to Richard Uhrle, very stylishly dressed in a fur neck wrap, exuding confidence and looking quite glamourous.

On May 1st, 2008, my official first day, while I was being given a tour of the firm by our dear and greatly missed friend, Jim Baird, I again ran into Heather. I remember she was preparing for a client meeting in a board room on the 10th floor, in another elegant black ensemble, her usual tall glass of water in hand. She immediately invited me to a ladies lunch that she had organized that day to take place at Imperial Dim Sum restaurant. She casually referred to it as a “chick lunch” in true Heather style.

Heather was very particular about the types of foods she ate and there were many foods she simply wasn’t interested in. Of course, I didn’t know that back then. At the chick lunch, for dessert they had sesame balls. When they came around, she gave the plate her famous “side-eye” and I suggested the sesame balls were quite good and she should try them. At that point she immediately informed me that I was quite brave to

suggest she try them, and I was taking a chance with my future employment because if she didn’t like them, I would quickly be written off by her. Not wanting to display my obvious concern, I became even stronger in urging Heather to try them. She gave me that quintessential “Heather” look and elegantly took a bite. I waited for several minutes for her response. She didn’t react. Finally, I had to ask if she liked them. She smiled and nodded. I don’t know why, but I felt quite pleased at that point. Maybe thinking I had passed a test or initiation of some sort.

Heather and I immediately became fast friends. We bonded over a love for travel, both of us loving the Island of Capri, Amalfi Coast and Positano, an obsession for shopping and fashion and our particularity (some would call “peculiarity”) about certain aspects of life. We easily got each other without having to explain ourselves to each other. Many similarities we attributed to us both being June Geminis.

Since we got along so famously, our work relationship turned into spending time outside of work. Over the course of 2008 to 2016, before I had my first child, Alianna, Heather and I spent most of our time together having endless amounts of fun and “trauma and drama” as she would often

say. We would go for runs on the seawall, runs in her neighbourhood (sometimes in the evenings and sometimes at 6 am in the morning), we climbed the Grouse Grind, had spa days, dinner parties, cooked together, took power shopping trips to Holt’s and Seattle, picked each other’s outfits, shared 2 A.M. text messages, gardened (we both loved flowers), worked out, shared birthday celebrations at our favourite Hy’s or Pac Rim Lobby Lounge, got up at 4 A.M. to watch two royal weddings together, welcomed her kittens and my children into our lives together and shared endless other moments that lasted to the very end. There was always a funny story amongst our adventures that we would relive and remember and laugh and sometimes cry about later. She was the sister I never had. We shared our

secrets (always in “the vault”), our dreams, our annoyances and even fought like sisters. Some fights were epic (and more than one made a server VERY UNCOMFORTABLE), but we always got over them because our friendship was too special. There will never be another person like her – someone who will share in life’s happiness and sadness and everything in between. Someone who will understand me like her without judgement (well… maybe a LITTLE judgement, but always from a good place). This is the most heartbreaking realization I have had since she left us. We will never get to spend the moments in our lives together that we always envisioned sharing. The vault is forever closed.

Heather was such a kind, caring, generous and thoughtful friend. She always gave the most well-reasoned and thought-out advice and always followed up on the result with true concern. She was always such a good listener and was never dismissive. She had a tough exterior, but she was so sweet and often vulnerable. A side that many never saw. Sometimes she was misunderstood but she never wanted to hurt anyone. She was fiercely loyal and protective, qualities that are so hard to find. If she was a friend, she was a friend for life. To her last day she valued friendships and relationships. Her love for her cherished ones was paramount. She was such a big pillar of support and celebrated the achievements of those who were special to her. I feel so blessed she got to meet and spend some

wonderful moments with my children, whom she adored, and they adored back.

Coming back to the sesame ball story, several years later I asked Heather did you actually like the sesame balls. Her response, “I loathed them.” We both laughed.

Goodness Heather, I cannot tell you how heavy my heart is without you in this world. I miss you beyond words and as I told you during our last conversation – I love you. I am grateful that I was able to spend your last days with you… to see the joy in your eyes when you got your final manicure and pedicure in the hospital… “Saba, they’re so fancy” you remarked from your hospital bed, gazing admiringly at your nails and feeling normal in the least normal of settings; words I will never forget. I was so proud of your brilliance of mind, the sparkle in your eye when you were passionate about something and your dedication to everything and everyone who was meaningful to you. You brought a beauty to life that is indescribable. I am so honored to have been your friend and there won’t be a day that I won’t miss you. Thank you for the precious memories, Sunshine. Rest in eternal peace. Until we meet again…

Warm summer sun, Shine kindly here, Warm southern wind, Blow softly here. Green sod above, Lie light, lie light, Good night, dear heart, Good night, good night.

-Walt Whitman

Heather Craig, lovely woman, I cannot believe you have departed this world. In one sense at least you have not. You will be carried always in my heart, and I am sure in the hearts of many others.

You never ceased to amaze me, despite - indeed especially - when in deepening frailty.

Full of admiration for your spirit, Heather – including your warmth, lively intelligence, strength, humour, resolve, courage, compassion, generosity, direct expression, and grace.

Our roots lay on opposite sides of the world. Yours in Alberta. Mine in England’s North. You were schooled in law at Dalhousie. I at Oxford. What were the odds of us meeting as articling students at a firm in Vancouver? Not high, but we did, in 1995. You were instantly good company and made me feel at home. We quickly shared laughter, food and dancing.

You worked hard and your gifts as an advocate, warrior woman, were noted early. Never afraid of an unconventional approach, the force of your opening statement at one hearing was so striking that the judge was unable to swallow a mouthful of water. After, a letter of commendation was written to the firm.

The practice of law and attention to your clients was a focus for much of your life, Heather. Alongside this, however, you were strongly drawn to a diverse range of things, including (to my knowledge): food and culinary delights (especially when shared with others in your characteristic abundance); beautiful couture; cats; ballet; Rachmaninov; study of Mayan script (glyphs); your Uncle Vic’s fishing trips

and swimming direct from the boat; Harry Potter and Star Wars; watching tennis; Italy; BMW cars; Scotland’s heritage – particularly castles; strong Yorkshire Tea; the sea and crab hunting; Greek mythology; Derbyshire’s Chatsworth; blooms and gardening; and big skies and striking landscapes.

During each of your visits to our house in Yorkshire, you were kind, amusing, hands-on and patient with my children, playing board and card games with them, snuggling on the sofa, and sharing walks, stories, films, books, food and sweeties. Upon learning of your passing, my son’s immediate response was, “I would love to have met Heather again”.

Aware you led an active early life, Heather, developing strength and skill in soccer and ballet. It was with you that I first sampled western-style horse riding. Later, your capacity to engage in physical and outdoor activities possibly became less visible to others, but I never doubted it. You may have been humouring my appetite for such adventures, when you accompanied me exploring the likes of:

- In BC, The Chief - Tourism Squamish website describes this so: “…this massive cliff face is one of North America’s largest granite monoliths… a challenging hike, mainly because it doesn’t beat around the bush. The trail goes straight up, right from the start, and is sure to get your heart and lungs into overdrive.”

- In Yorkshire, a circular route around Malham, taking in Goredale Scar – the Dales National Park advises it has “rugged terrain and some steep climbs”, and in particular, “Goredale Scar is a narrow cannon towered on either side by sheer walls of rock hundreds of feet high. Goredale Beck tumbles down the ravine… The walk heads up the waterfall, which is difficult in places and should not be attempted unless you are… fit and experienced… there is an alternative [route]…” We did not take the alternative route.

Dear, brave heart, I will miss you greatly.

Annamarie Kersop friend

I met Heather a few years ago when she came into my office to introduce herself. We went for lunch, and a few days later she showed up with a pair of fancy Prada shoes for me. They looked like Cinder-ella’s glass slippers. My Heather-nickname was born: I became “‘Ella”. She became “Buttercup” (the name contrasted well with her black couture… and of course, Buttercup was a princess).

Heather’s sense of humour was legendary. Her hearty laugh could quickly turn into cackling and snorting, especially in places with good acoustics where you were supposed to be quiet. She lifted me up when I was down and knew how to make the people around her feel special. She paid attention. She loved deeply and completely. She was generous, kind, and forgiving. It was an absolute privilege to be her friend.

I will always remember you, Buttercup.

May you be free, and may you rest in peace.

Ken Duke

friend

I met Heather back in the 90s at the Bar admission course and we were later reunited when Heather was hired as a lawyer at Boughton. We became part of a small team of young lawyers at the firm that included Joyce, Jay and Mike. Those were great years. We worked long hours but we also had so much fun, occasionally enjoying a few single malts or other tasty beverages, particularly on Friday nights after a long work week. Heather was such a character, with a quick wit. She always made me laugh.

Most of our small group eventually took different paths in their careers, except Heather who stayed with Boughton. As is all too common in life, we invariably lost touch, only getting together for an occasional lunch.

I am very sad to hear of Heather’s passing.

I will miss her.

Daniel

Varga friend

I met Heather 25 years ago on a legal matter, which of course she won.

Afterwards she informed me that I owe her. Thus began our friendship with many lovely dinners over the years showing off her latest Gucci or Prada purchase. She was a beautiful woman, highly intelligent and of course had a very wicked sense of humour. It was always fun to banter about the tennis matches she was watching, with both of us despising one player.

I will miss her friendship, and her making sure I kept it real. She left us far too soon.

Emma Baldwin cat lover

I met Heather seven years ago when I was entrusted to look after her beloved “kittens” Flotsam and Jetsam. Even though they were fully grown they were still her “kittens” and I could see how much the boys meant to her. Heather always had the cats love and they brought great comfort to each other over their years together.

She will be missed by them greatly.

I knew Heather for approximately 10 years.

I very much loved her sense of humor. She facetiously referred to me as “Your Royal Highness.” She was not above giving me sarcastic jabs. I often had lunch with her. Under that polished veneer she had warmth. She was caring and kind. She would call me often during her most difficult times. Her passing leaves a void in the lives of many of us.

I will miss her.

- The Hon. Wally Oppal

call ceremony

George Cadman, K.C.

From the time that Heather first joined our Firm, it was clear that we had made the right choice. Heather came with solid legal credentials, but that was just the start. To quote one client who worked closely with both Heather and me over a number of years, she was “a delight, a great lawyer, a good person and she know how to make people laugh”. I had the privilege of practicing with Heather for over two decades. “HC” brought solid skills as counsel to every file that we shared. She was engaging in her dealings with clients, both at a professional and personal level. A note received from one client that Heather built a lasting friendship with is attached. It speaks volumes for how highly she was regarded both as a lawyer and as a person.

There are many remembrances, including the Bar at the Chateau Laurier after our Appearance at the Supreme Court of Canada, lunches with clients at Hy’s, a shared love of single malt scotch, continuing reminders that her credentials (Dalhousie) were better than mine (Osgoode), her love of licorice - black of course, numerous client seminars (where HC did most of the heavy lifting), annual reminders of her upcoming Birthday (and what needed to be arranged) - just to name a few.

I remember particularly Heather’s contribution as our resident Fashion Consultant, more than once heard to say that “Wearing spandex is a privilege, not a right” and commenting often on outrageous attire and lack of colour coordination. Basic Black was the starting point in all her attire. Prada, Gucci and Versace were names heard often.

While Heather worked closely with me as counsel, she also developed bonds (and shared practice) with our late colleague (and fellow

I know that the past two or three years were personally very challenging for Heather. To the extent that she reached out to Bonnie or me there was support when asked, though that was not Heather’s style. Her office is still next to mine, but it was with great regret that I closed the door to that office last Thursday knowing that she would not be returning ever again.

Bonnie and I send our condolences to Heather’s family. We have lost a wonderful friend and colleague. I am confident that she is in a better place now.

May she rest in peace and her Soul rise in glory.

mentor

Scot) Jim Baird and our retired colleague Gordon Fulton K.C., amongst others in the Firm.

Stella Frame

Frame, J. That was her name for me, and not because I’m a judge but because she believed I would become one. That was Heather. She believed in her friends and their dreams. She supported us and cared about us. She cheered us on when we succeeded. She encouraged us when we floundered.

Her friends care deeply about her too. At the end of her articles elsewhere, she applied for a position we had posted to take over a big part of my practice that was best suited to a junior lawyer. It was the collections part of our insolvency and realizations department. I was the lawyer doing the interviews. As soon as applications started coming in, I started getting phone calls from people at her firm and other firms, and visits from other lawyers and students in my own firm. They all wanted me to give her an interview because they were sure I would hire her if I did. My contrarian side wanted to toss her application but my rational side relented. We had a really fun interview –the best I’ve ever been part of. She became my top pick, so I introduced her to the partner in charge of the practice we were hiring for.

They got along very well. But then he asked her where she expected to be in five years, and she replied “not doing collections!” I nearly had a heart attack. Here was the best candidate talking herself out of the job! She got it anyway and, indeed, she branched out just as I had. But that was Heather, too. She spoke the truth and was courageous about it.

We became such good friends in and out of work. Some of the best times were on our Caribbean cruise (I’d never been on a cruise ship before) and when we went to the Calgary Stampede – an event she would not miss in those days. I did not approve of rodeos and I didn’t have any cowboy gear. She would not be stopped. By the time we went to the Stampede, I had jeans, a plaid shirt, ropers, and a strong skepticism. I had a blast and got to meet her brother Rob. He was a great host and she obviously looked up to her big brother.

Heather did things with a flair whether it was her style, her attitude or her coffee. When Starbucks went in across the street, we took our coffee breaks together. Sometimes, one of us would run out for the order. Mine was a grande non-fat latte. Hers? Grande half caff ristretto shot non-fat latte. I had to repeat it over and over so many times to get it right that I have never

forgotten it.

Heather had a sharp wit and a cutting sense of humour. One of our friends, Martin Sullivan, enjoyed her humour immensely. He could go toe to toe with her and my sides would split listening to them. No one ever matched them after their act was split up when Martin moved on. But if Heather ever thought her humour hurt anyone, it cut to her core. She was not shy about saying sorry.

When our colleague, George, hit the age of forty, Heather thought we should do something cheeky. So we bought him some black and white silk boxers. What she did to my office when I hit that milestone was much more… She conscripted others and adorned my workspace in black balloons, black streamers, other black decore and black licorice. Of course, Heather would know where to find black – her favourite “colour”. Heather never failed to honour milestones whether with humour or a good

sparkling toast.

Heather loved getting together with our friend Liz LeGrice to bake cookies, have tea in Liz’s gorgeous garden, and go to the cartoon Christmas party Liz hosted every year. We always did a gift swap and Heather could be quite ruthless! No good gift was safe.

When I had my daughter Maddie, Heather would have her over to bake cookies and do Halloween. She always engaged so fully with Maddie when we still lived in Vancouver. She really missed being near her siblings’ kids and spoke of them all the time. She was kind to children and genuine with them.

Heather and I had a lot of things in common, not the least of which was a love of a good steak and a nice red wine. We had another friend, Jim, who shared that passion. We referred to ourselves as the Red Wine, Red Meat Club. Sadly, Jim passed away recently. Heather was gutted. He had been a good friend and solid support. If I am not able to make it to this wake, I will be having a delicious steak and a lovely red wine to toast her. It will be followed by a glass of scotch – another of her passions.

We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun ‘til dine, But seas between us broad have roared Since days of auld lang sine.

In fact, being Scottish, Heather celebrated Robbie Burns Day every year. This involved scotch, haggis, bagpipes and other things Scottish. One year, our firm decided Saturday January 25 would be a good day for a firm conference. I am also Scottish and the bard’s birthday is also my birthday. Deeply offended by this cultural slight, she and I arranged with the hotel to let me put a haggis in a slow cooker and we conscripted George to bring in some scotch. If I recall correctly, he was the one to do the Ode to a Haggis. And then we exacted our revenge compelling all of the attendees to partake in the offerings. Or, should I say offalings – or just plain awful!

I will miss Heather. Though we saw each other so much less after I moved away, our connections were always like we just got together “yesterday”. Sadly, there will be no tomorrows to enjoy that. Heather always bought herself a yellow rose on her birthday. It was In memory of her father who used to give her one every year.

So I part with a photo from a happier time, a quote from Burns, and a yellow rose in her memory.

Jay Shincolleague

I am going to miss you. I enjoyed working and hanging out with you during my Boughton days. Thank you for the call in 2020 after many years of not being in touch and suggesting that you, Joyce, Ken and I should get together for lunch just like the good old days once the COVID is behind us. I am sorry we will not have that lunch.

Thinking of you and remembering the good times.

Lori

Massini colleague

Tricia Wu

Heather was a wonderful mentor to me during the earlier years of my career. I will always remember her as the fashionable and bold lawyer who rocked in heels.

Brittany Kuntz colleague

Thank you Heather, for always being so kind to me and bringing me flowers. When I was down and when I lost my brother, you were there for me.

I was lucky enough to work with Heather at Boughton Law from 2016 until 2020. She brought class and elegance (and a lot of sass) to the office (and especially to the lawyers lounge). She had a huge heart and an incredible wit and intellect, and I feel very lucky that

I got the chance to know her.

Heather Watt colleague

I met Heather shortly after joining Boughton in 2016, when she instructed me to “grab a glass” and meet her in the lounge. We were fast friends from there, though of course there could only be one Heather at the firm, and so I went by “Sunshine” when in her presence.

You are in our hearts forever.

Heather was a generous friend and though she often wore her “armour” I knew her to be kind hearted with a soft spot for her kittens (and mine) and her family and friends. We shared a love of food, and when we weren’t enjoying a meal together we were often talking about it (in particular the secret Boughton hamburger club that I never did quite weasel my way into). She gratefully accepted the homemade vegetable soup I brought her when she was home from a recent hospital stay, but I’ll bet she secretly never forgave me for bringing her something other than red meat. I will miss Heather very much.

Michael Schafler friend

I have attached some fun photos from our time at law school in Halifax. Heather and I were part of a great study group (don’t mention Hedley Byrne to her!) that also liked to have the odd drink, of course. Some of those photos were taken at one of those parties with many of our good friends in attendance. Heather also came to visit our cottage in PEI which is where the other photos were taken. After Heather moved to Vancouver, and I settled in Toronto, we would see each other regularly either out on the West Coast or here. Even if there was some time in between our visits or catch ups, the minute we saw each other it was just like old days – seamless. No fuss. Heather was really competitive, and I’m sure she’s having a really hard time reconciling the fact that her beloved Flames didn’t even make the playoffs while the Leafs keep marching on. Heather was a true, fun-loving friend who I, and all of us who knew her well, will dearly miss. Irreplaceable.

RIP my dear friend.

Kelsey Bittner colleague

I will always remember Heather. She was a demanding yet thoughtful and compassionate boss. She appreciated her support team and encouraged them to reach their potential. She went to bat for me when she didn’t have to.

I adored the way she would often let you know what she really thought with a look and a twinkle in her eye. If you were lucky enough to be part of her inner circle, she was an incredibly loyal friend.

Liz LeGrice colleague

When I think of Heather I see her smiling and beautiful, and I am going to hang onto that memory always. I will remember her sharp wit, I will remember her humour and sense of fun, I will remember baking cookies with her at my house one Christmas and how she “stole” a sparkly silver decorative pear from my mantle and how, every time I spoke with her afterwards, she assured me again how much she loved that pear. I will remember her kindness and thoughtfulness. I will remember her laugh, and her sense of style and her love of beauty, white wine from New Zealand and a really well made risotto. I will never forget her.

Claudia Losie colleague

Heather was more than my colleague at Boughton – she was my friend. She was so much fun and made me laugh all the time with her hilarious, deadpan, sometimes sarcastic jokes. We shared many drinks and danced together at the firm Christmas parties. She once staged a coup by the female lawyers - we took over Boughton’s lawyers’ lounge and barred the males from turning on the TV to watch sports. I will miss her a lot.

Charity Gito colleague

Heather you are now in the Kingdom of God. Rest peacefully in Paradise. I will be missing you and I just want to thank you for all the help you extended to me when I was laid off. You alone reached out to me and I am forever thankful to you.

Leslie Whittaker colleague

When I was an articling student, Heather was my mentor. She was sharp as a whip - and made sure I was too.

On the outside, Heather and I were very different. Me, with my flats and casual manner, and Heather, with her incredible high heels and bold presence. But we bonded over our backgrounds in dance and theatre, and our love for charcuterie and savoury foods. She took me to many a great sushi restaurant. To celebrate my call to the bar, she made sure there was no cakeonly pickles and cured meats (just what I wanted)!

Heather often wore tough armour – perhaps it was all those years of litigation. But deep down, she was soft and filled with love and vulnerability.

Once, she took me to Gucci and made me model a very expensive, very luxurious fur coat. It was a ridiculously silly experience that I will never forget.

Despite her love of black fashion, Heather made the world a more colourful place.

She is missed.

Karen Justel colleague

I took this picture on December 26, 2017. Heather met up with my husband Rick and I in London, where we were spending the Christmas holidays that year. We all enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner together the previous evening and on Boxing Day, she and I headed to Knightsbridge to inspect the designer shops on Sloane Street. The photo is taken in the dressing rooms of the Tom Ford boutique where, after a LOT of laughs, try- ons and serious deliberations, Heather settled on the pair she is modeling here. To me, this is the ultimate shot of Heather the fashionista, missing only the designer bag. It was a really happy day and is how I’ll remember her.

Marcia Pedersen

colleague

I worked with Heather for over 9 years. She was incredibly smart, kind, thoughtful, and always impeccably dressed. She always took the time to listen if someone had an issue they were dealing with. The raising of her eyebrow conveyed everything that remained unsaid but spoke volumes.

Through the years I spent time with Heather both in and outside of the office. She loved her “kittens”, Flotsom and Jetsom. We discussed our cats often and would text each other funny photos of our boys. Over the years we shared recipes, recommendations for books we’d read, Alberta-isms, and of course crazy cat stories (complete with photos texted). She loved to watch tennis and even tried to get me hooked

(unsuccessfully). When she moved into her condo, we were almost crying from laughter trying to figure out why her fancy fridge was beeping and talking to her, unable to make it stop.

Heather and I grew up literally on opposing foothills, west of Calgary. She used to laugh when I would remind her that one could take the girl out of Alberta but not Alberta out of the girl. My saying “Giddy up!” would get me that raised eyebrow often. One of my favorite stories was when Heather came back from spending time with family. She returned from the visit with a note from her young nephew which she promptly put in a frame at the front of her desk. During the visit she was wanting some pickles. Apparently there were a couple of small ones to be had but at the bottom of a huge jar filled with pickle juice. Her young nephew assured her, in writing no less, that he had a solution. There would be “pikels”! Dried with the use of a hair dryer and put in a bag for

ease of grabbing and eating. Pikel problem solved!! This note made her smile every day. On this crazy journey of life, the year of our birth and the year that we depart is always remarked upon: 1970--2023. But it’s the “--” (dash) in the middle that is the most important. The “--” is where all the truly great things happen - adventures, experiences, friendships, memories. Heather always made the most of her “--”, with elegance, a wicked sense of humour and wearing the perfect pair of stilettos for the occasion.

Joyce Lee, K.C.

friend

We met in 1996 as first-year associates Boughton. Vancouver was new to both of us. You were my bridesmaid at my wedding. Your Beamer was my wedding “limousine”. You did my wedding makeup. I told you not to look better than me on my wedding.

We often had lunch together and you always ate the same thing. If we had dim sum at Victoria Seafood Restaurant, you would order shrimp dumplings, wonton soup, gai lan and spring rolls, but not the spring rolls with mayo as that is “disgusting”. If we had Japanese at Kamei, you would order edamame, salmon nigiri and cucumber roll. We sometimes cut short our lunch to go shopping at the Dollar Store (you for black napkins) or Holt Renfrew.

I remember us going to Victoria on a business trip on different client matters. After we finished our client meetings, we met up at the Empress. The hotel was closed for afternoon tea, but we sweet-talked them into serving us afternoon tea and had the whole dining room to ourselves!

You always told me to slow down as you always wore impossibly high heels.

When I talked fast, you said “calmness is best”. I now say this to my children.

Although you called me “bossy”, I think you are the bossy one. You are classy, kind, generous (too many treats for my dog, Tessa) and loyal. You always put your best face forward. I assess your wellness and energy level at the hospital through whether you put on makeup that day.

This past year has been a challenging year for you (and me, your family and close friends). You showed tremendous courage and tried your best to get better. You have a gift of attracting loyal and caring friends. Through you, I have met Saba, Nina, Annamarie, Anndraya and many others. There is an instant connection when we meet each other for the first time because the bond is you.

I thank you for letting me into your life at the beginning and in the end.

XOXO, Joycey

joyce’s 50th birthday party