Heather Self

It is with deep sadness and welcome relief of suffering that the Neher/Self families announce the passing of Heather, our wife, mother, daughter and sister. She was born on September 8 1974 to Sam and Betsy Self in Leesburg Virginia. The proud parents brought their daughter home to her brother Brian. And the Self family was rounded out. Heather's sweet demeanor and spritely beauty was notable to most who saw her. She was in ballet and soccer and would join her father on adventures with the Isaac Walton league. This was only the beginning of her rambling ways. Heather found writing and poetry at a young age and was gifted in both. She would record pages and pages of her thoughts, experiences and tales of travels in numerous journals. Heather loved to travel and was always working teaching art classes, waiting tables or catering to save money for her next excursion. She fell in love with Ireland and travelled back and forth to Galway and Dublin a number of times. Making connections with the country and the locals that turned into lifelong friends. And a true friend she was to so many. Her travels took her further yet to Latvia, Turkey (by herself), Germany Austria, Italy. Canada and the Carribean as well as all over the United States.

Heather met Ryan Neher in 2008 and the two teamed up with a "let's give it a try" attitude, living and gardening and traveling together. The two were a match and married in August of 2013. Heather graduated from Shepherd College with a BFA. She became certified as a doula and helped dozens of women with their deliveries and post natal needs. Within that same year their son Milo was born to a celebration of family and friends. They bought a house in Harpers Ferry soon after Milo was born and they quickly turned the town into their home. Heather prioritized Milo over her potential career. Soon after Milo started school the pandemic hit and Heather stepped up. But once the family was vaccinated they sped off across the country on a BBQ tour that fed them in Memphis , Oklahoma City, Texas, Kansas City, and St.Louis and all the states in between highlighting New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Heather's creative and jubilant planning made this the trip of a lifetime

Heather was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August of 2021. She spent the next four years in treatment. Optimistic that things could work out she tried several different chemotherapies and kept on living, celebrating many milestones including her own 50th Birthday Bash which she organized and did most of the cooking for and the 10th and 21st birthdays of her children.

Her adoptive state of Michigan welcomed the family many times and the waters of Lake Michigan soothed her tired spirit. Eventually a clinical trial opened up after other chemo became ineffective, but her symptoms worsened, and in February 2025 she was hospitalized and she declined further treatment. She spent her final months enjoying her days with her family and friends. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her no holds barred sense of humor, her kind and altruistic nature and her delicious cooking. She will be deeply missed. She will be buried at the Cool Springs Natural Cemetery at Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville.

She is survived by her husband Ryan Neher, her sons Milo and Eli Ripkin, her father Sam Self of Gore Virginia, her mother Betsy Self of Harpers Ferry West Virginia, her mother-in-law Karen Crook of Vicksburg Michigan and her brother Brian Self (Eileen Joseph) of San Luis Obispo.

A memorial service will be held at Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville, VA at 11:00 am September 6, with a reception following at the Old Stone School in Hillsboro. Donations can be made in her honor to the Bolivar Harpers Ferry Public Library at 151 Polk St. Harpers Ferry WV 25425.