Heather Marlene Devine

Heather Marlene Devine (née McEachern) was born in Kirkland Lake, ON. She spent her early childhood years living in Barrie before moving with her family to Thunder Bay where she eventually attended nursing school at Confederation College graduating in 1983. She began her nursing career as an operating room nurse at St. Joseph's General Hospital where she made many lifelong friends that she kept close with until her passing. After the closure of St. Joe's, she continued on to work at Port Arthur General and McKellar General. In 1995, she was diagnosed with cancer and given a very grim prognosis. Despite the overwhelming odds against her, her sheer determination and love for her family got her through the most rigorous of chemotherapy, a below the knee amputation, and ultimately into remission.

In 2000 she moved to Dallas, TX. As they say in Texas (and one of her favourite sayings), “I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.” There she continued nursing (working in the Baylor Healthcare system) making many new friends, however, her battles with cancer continued. Throughout her life, spending time with her two daughters, Katelyn and Lindsey, was among her greatest joys. On her initial diagnosis, her wish was simply to see them grow up. She got her wish; she lived to see Katelyn graduate medical school and begin residency and to not only see Lindsey graduate nursing school, but to pin on her nursing pin herself. Anyone who knew Heather also knew how much she loved her three puppies and the happiness they brought her. Heather made a lasting impression on her colleagues, family, and all those who knew her throughout her battle with cancer being known for her love of life, sense of humour, positivity, and perseverance. She counseled numerous others through their diagnoses with cancer, advising them they always have a chance. Unfortunately, after a valiant and arduous 22 years, osteosarcoma finally claimed her life on February 14, 2018. She passed peacefully having had a chance to say goodbye to family and friends from near and far in the comfort of her home with her puppies, as she wanted. There will be an everlasting void in the lives of her husband Patrick, two daughters, and puppies due to her passing but her suffering is over.

Heather is survived by her loving husband Patrick, loving daughters Katelyn and Lindsey, parents Don and Joan McEachern, sisters Judi (Ken) Dunbar, Elizabeth McEachern and Shelley McEachern. Nieces and nephews - Kat, Amanda, Meaghan, Ryan, Jessica, Dianna, Danny, Jodie, Jeff, Kristie, David, Keith, Alissa and Rick.

Funeral services will be at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville Avenue, Allen, TX 75002 on Saturday March 17, 2018 at 1PM. In lieu of flowers a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital would be appreciated. (https://www.stjude.org/give.html)

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always,
as long as I'm living, my love you will be.”