Zahara Joan Heckscher  (Age 53)  
Lost her last battle with breast cancer on Saturday, February 24, 2018 Zahara is survived by her loving husband, Eric Thiel, and her devoted son, Max Heckscher. Her dear sister, Rachel Heckscher (Eric Olson) and loyal brother, David Spence (Kate Spence) gave her every support. Her many circles of friends, as well as her family, have been transformed by Zahara's charisma, intellect, passion, and perseverance. Her legacies are many. Known for her activism in many social justice circles, Zahara most recently protested the high prices of pharmaceuticals that are a necessity for cancer patients. She advocated for exercise as a cancer preventative; she was a member of the GoPinkDC dragonboat team. Her service learning work took her to Zambia and Nicaragua.  Zahara was a long-time teacher and writer. She taught for The Writers Center in Bethesda and at the University of Maryland. Her published or soon-to-be published works include How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas and a novel, Spice Lady, as well as books of poetry. As a creative entrepreneur, she published multiple versions of the Poetry Game, in Yiddish, Arabic, Spanish, and English, to promote cross-cultural understanding and the love of language. Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 26 at 10 a.m. at HINES-RINALDI FUNERAL HOME, 11800 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD. Interment at Garden of Remembrance, Clarksburg, MD.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Zahara Heckscher's name to Washington Peace Center or GoPinkDC or The Poetry Game c/o Split This Rock. Arrangements by Hines-Rinaldi FH, LLC under Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington Contract.