Heather Jane Bailey

BAILEY, Heather Jane 1952 - 2021 In her youth, Heather was celebrated for her beauty, intelligence and creativity. She received scholarships to university, and proudly put herself through school accepting greater roles of responsibility in her field of ophthalmology, first at Toronto Sick Kids, then in Stockholm, Sweden where she helped open a Swedish school of ophthalmology. Heather met her husband in Sweden and encouraged his passion for law. They lived in Sweden, England, Germany and Switzerland and had three daughters. Heather spoke many languages, celebrated food enthusiastically and was an excellent cook. She loved to paint, and had success as an artist with many gallery showings in Europe and Canada. Her marriage came to a heartbreaking end, and she moved back to Victoria to raise her three young daughters on her own. As a single mother she braved humiliation and poverty and taught us the importance of standing up to be heard in a man's world, to lead with kindness, and to advocate for those less fortunate. She got involved in federal politics and worked for a federal Minister during the Chretien Government. She proudly advocated for the rights of all Canadians, and especially those of refugees and newcomers. Her passion was helping others, she had a gift for meeting people undergoing their own suffering, and empathically understanding their pain. She would do everything she could to get families the resources they needed in order to survive. We remember fondly how she was often stopped on the streets by people she had helped thanking her for her dedicated work on their case. Her legacy is profound to those who know her well. Heather conquered life's struggles with hope, wisdom, grace, resilience and humour. She had a difficult marriage that taught her forgiveness, and an incurable diagnosis that taught her perseverance. Thank you, mum, for all you did, and all you went through to give us a loving home, a good education, and a shot at a decent life. Thank you, mum, for fighting for our place in this world. You blazed a trail no one before you ever had. We are so proud of you mum, out of your brokenness you gave, and you taught us that resilience and hope are the breath of faith. Thank you for the legacy you left that we are humble to inherit. We grieve in hope, and we will see you again - dancing on strong legs with the wind in your hair. In Heather's honour, please do something kind for your neighbour. Condolences for the family may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com