Heather passed away on May 27, 2018 at Muskoka Shores Long Term Care, Gravenhurst. She was born in England, the daughter of Lewis and Laura Dittrich, on January 26, 1935.
Heather and her family lived for most of her school aged years in Long Branch (now Southwest Toronto) where she participated actively in Girl Guides and school activities. She was a summer camp counsellor and swimming instructor. As a young adult her sporting interests included figure skating and riding the horse she owned for a number of years.
She enjoyed canoe trips with family and in later years was an avid fan of figure skating on TV.
After graduating from Toronto Teachers’ College in 1955, she began a life that revolved around education. She taught public school, first in small one- and two-room schools in Lount (South River), Dorset and Browns Brae. She returned to teach at the then new Dorset school, became the Principal of Lutterworth school and then taught at Archie Stouffer Public School in Minden.
In 1968 she began working hard at becoming bilingual and teaching French as an itinerant specialty and later became the full time French teacher in Burk’s Falls. A three- year appointment as a French Language consultant for the Muskoka Board of Education followed, and she retired after finishing her teaching career in Huntsville and Dwight.
Over her years of teaching, through extension classes and summer school, she earned her BA from Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfred Laurier) and completed her MA at McGill University.
Heather is survived by her husband Roy, brother Douglas (Jean) and families, son Sandy (Lori), daughter Adrienne (Andrew), and grandchildren Caleb (CJ) and Ethan.
Thank you to the 2nd floor (south) staff at Muskoka Shores for their wonderful care of Heather.
Visitation for Mrs. Heather MacKay will be held at the Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 6-8pm.
Memorial Service will be held at the Knox United Church, 1012 Harvey Ave., Dorset on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11am. Burial to follow at Paint Lake Cemetery.
Reception will follow at the Dorset Recreation Centre, 1049 Main St., Dorset.
Donations can be made to Alzheimer Society of Muskoka or Dorset Heritage Museum (Special Project Funds).
Roy & Brenda Kaye
Thinking of you of as you mourn the loss of this very special person in your lives. She certainly sounds like she was an interesting lady who enjoyed learning , teaching & spending time in the great outdoors. Memories are so precious, may they bring you some comfort at this time.
Roy & Brenda Kaye
Thinking of you of as you mourn the loss of this very special person in your lives. She certainly sounds like she was an interesting lady who enjoyed learning , teaching & spending time in the great outdoors. Memories are so precious, may they bring you some comfort at this time.
Phyllis Schwarz
Dear Roy, Adrienne and Sandy,Seeing Heather’s constant smile when I would encounter her at Dorset School (1970-1975) was such a treat, and today, as I learn of her death, memories of her always being in a hurry to get from Dorset to some other school to teach French surface and make me smile. Her love of “yellow†was obvious because of how often she dressed in that colour as well as the fact that every car she purchased was yellow. She lit up the lives of her students and those of us who taught with her.
Since I moved away from Dorset in 1976, I was so happy to see her again couple of years ago at the Dorset School reunion when she smiled and told me proudly that she was 80 years old.
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your wife and mother. She will never be far from your thoughts and her influence in the lives of many will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Schwarz
Phyllis Schwarz
Dear Roy, Adrienne and Sandy,Seeing Heather’s constant smile when I would encounter her at Dorset School (1970-1975) was such a treat, and today, as I learn of her death, memories of her always being in a hurry to get from Dorset to some other school to teach French surface and make me smile. Her love of “yellow†was obvious because of how often she dressed in that colour as well as the fact that every car she purchased was yellow. She lit up the lives of her students and those of us who taught with her.
Since I moved away from Dorset in 1976, I was so happy to see her again couple of years ago at the Dorset School reunion when she smiled and told me proudly that she was 80 years old.
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your wife and mother. She will never be far from your thoughts and her influence in the lives of many will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Schwarz
Wayne Weaver
To Heather’s family I wish to express my sympathy on your loss. I worked with Heather during her secondment as French as a Second Language consultant with The Muskoka Board of Education, when we all enjoyed what we now remember as the Golden Years of education.Respectfully,
Wayne Weaver
Godrich
Wayne Weaver
To Heather’s family and closest friends I wish to extend sincere sympathy of your loss. I worked with Heather during her secondment as French as a Second Language consultant with The Muskoka Board of Education during times that we now remember as a golden age of education.Respectfully,
Wayne Weaver
Goderich
Wayne Weaver
To Heather’s family I wish to express my sympathy on your loss. I worked with Heather during her secondment as French as a Second Language consultant with The Muskoka Board of Education, when we all enjoyed what we now remember as the Golden Years of education.Respectfully,
Wayne Weaver
Godrich
Jennifer McCague (Buss)
So sorry for your loss…
Paul Le May
Hi Adrienne. My heartfelt sympathy for you and your family at this time. I will keep your family in my prayers as you go through this time of transition.