Heidi Rush

On Sunday January 7, 2024, Heidi Margarete Rush, age 79, of Nevada City passed away peacefully at her home following a long goodbye due to vascular dementia. Heidi was born near Spittal an der Drau in Austria. After migrating with family to the United States as War refugees, she was educated in school and college in Long Beach, CA. There she worked in sales and other jobs which became vocations revealing her love and success at meeting and working with people, making new friends, helping others. Following marriage, she moved with her blended family to Hawaii and then north to Alaska. As a young widow, she settled in the foothills of the Sierras near Nevada City's Yuba River while she continued her cherished time with family and friends in a host of favorite activities: skiing, hiking, swimming, board games, paddle boarding, pickle ball, and cavorting with her canine friends A 3-legged pooch Bluey (long ago) and (much more recently) Sunshine. Only failing health kept her from such early morning rituals as a jog around the family pond and clearing traps for the family drinking water, all in company of the family dogs.

Heidi never grew old. She possessed boundless energy, kindness, and sense of adventure always, qualities which the family will always miss but never forget. She is survived by her sister, Krista (Richard) Ralston, her niece Monica (Wade Laughter) Senter, and nephews Andrew Senter, David (Sion) and Michael (Robyn) Ralston; and grandnieces (Micah, Nadia, Anika, Sabela, and Kaia Ralston), who accompanied her on her final return visit to Austria in 2015. She was preceded in death by her dear Mutti (Marie Balatony), her oldest sister (Erika Senter), and her husband (William Rush). She is also survived by Loving stepchildren, Sheree, Willie and Ronnie Rush, residents of the northwest and South Carolina respectively. Heidi benefited from the excellent professional care of staff of Pawnie's Home Care and in her last days by Hospice. During her decline Heidi drew special love and sympatico from those closest, Monica, Wade and Andy of the family farm. The UCSF Willed Body Program facilitated Heidi's on-going collaboration in the advancement of the goals of medical education and research.

The family plans a private memorial and tree-planting to celebrate Heidi's life at the family farm in Nevada City in late April. A separate public memorial service will be calendared by the Weaver and Hooper Mortuary service in Nevada City on a date to be announced. Those wishing to honor Heidi's life and memory may contribute words and pictures at one of these memorials. Also available will be Kudoboard and Legacy.com for on-line tribute service. Meantime, for the many expressions of sympathy and kindnesses extended in these times of loss and bereavement the family has been uplifted and extends heartfelt thanks in return.