Heather Lynn Chessman

Beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend, and teacher, Heather L. Chessman passed away, Friday, February 16, peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Heather was born March 31, 1977 and grew up in Windsor, OH where her closest playmates were her sister and brother. Developing a love for nature at a young age, she could be found making tree forts in the woods, playing in the creek, or watching birds on the feeder. A natural athlete Heather ran cross country, played basketball, and participated in track and field at Grand Valley High School where she held records in the 800m and 1600m. She moved to Virginia where she met her beloved husband, Roger, as she attended and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor's in art history. During her time as a nanny while in college, she developed a deep love for teaching and working with young children. She attended Eastern Carolina University where she earned her Master of Arts in teaching. Throughout her teaching career, she impacted hundreds of children at Northwest Elementary (Greenville NC), G.H. Reid (Richmond VA), Andrew Wilson Charter School (New Orleans LA), Parkside Community Preschool, and Sheldon Community Center (both in Eugene OR). In her free time, she and her husband could be found making electronic music, playing live, and touring live with their experimental duo Juice Machine, visiting the Oregon Coast, bird watching, playing tennis, doing yoga, and hiking miles and miles of trails through old-growth forests where she loved the 'big trees.' A resident of Eugene, OR the past 14 years, she developed deep friendships with Mavis, Mark, Don, Jesse, Katrina, Leela, Ariel, Taryn, and many others. Those who knew and loved Heather were drawn to her magical presence, surrounded by her abundant love, and laughed at her 'reverent irreverence.' Heather is survived and missed by her husband and partner of 24 years Roger Smith, her parents William and Helen Chessman, her older sister Hollie Chessman, her younger brother Bill Chessman, her nephew Nathan Chessman, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends, healers, spiritual advisors, and hundreds of children impacted by her love for life and teaching. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name Harmony Hill Retreat Center at 'Giving' at harmonyhill.org.