Heather Smith
1959-2019
It is with deep sadness that
the family of Heather (MacLaggan) Smith announces her death, which
occurred on Sunday, June 30th, in New Glasgow,
Nova Scotia after a brief illness. Born in Peterborough, Ontario, she
was the younger daughter of Isabel (Archibald) MacLaggan of Bathurst
and the late James Coburn MacLaggan. She was the wife of the late Eric
Smith, originally of McAdam.
As an infant, Heather moved to
Bathurst with her family where she spent most of her life. Upon
retirement, she settled in Pictou County, Nova Scotia on the
Northumberland Strait. After graduation from Bathurst High School, she
earned bachelors and masters degrees in education from Mount Saint
Vincent University in Halifax. Her fields of interest and
accomplishment embraced elementary and inclusive education enhanced by
her specialty in literacy.
Heather served her 34-year
career as an elementary school teacher in McAdam, Bathurst, and
Belledune, then as principal in Janeville for many years. Heather
received national recognition being the only New Brunswick educator
named by the Learning Partnership as one of Canada’s
Outstanding Principals in 2011. She completed her career as president
of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association followed by
president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation in Ottawa.
Heather’s patience
has always been highlighted as the driving force behind her every
success, as she was modest but steadfast in her accomplishments and
gregarious and selfless with her many friendships. She truly believed
that building relationships was fundamental in making a real
difference. Heather cared deeply about providing comprehensive
services for students with high needs whether they were at risk for
physical, emotional, or situational reasons.
In 1991, her intense interest
in the importance of early childhood education led her to accept a
position when New Brunswick introduced the kindergarten program in
public school. This intensity guided her to become a summer camp
teacher and kindergarten team leader in Beijing, China in 2010. Upon
retirement, she was employed in the kindergarten program in Abu Dhabi
when the sudden illness of her husband of 34 years required they
return to Canada in 2017.
Together Heather and Eric
strongly supported performing arts and directed many musical
productions with proceeds donated to charity. Heather was an active
United Church member in Bathurst, and more recently in
Pictou.
Besides her mother, she is
survived by a son Dr. Joshua Smith (Tiara Folkes) of Ottawa; two
daughters Erika Smith (Jordan Wilson) of New Glasgow, and Torey Smith
(Danny Carson) of Fredericton; a brother Donald MacLaggan (Janet) of
Bathurst, and a sister Nancy McKay (Don) of Fredericton as well as
many members of a close extended
family.
Visitation will be Friday, July
5th, 2019 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at
Elhatton’s Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at
First United Church on Saturday, July 6th, 2019
at 11am. Internment will be at the West Bathurst Cemetery where she
will be next to her loving husband and her
father.
Donations in
Heather’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society,
the New Brunswick Association for Community Living, the Ghana Rural
Integrated Development (GRID) health team, or a charity of the
donor’s choice.
The family also wishes to
express gratitude to the palliative care team at Aberdeen Hospital,
New Glasgow, NS and family members whose care and attention allowed
Heather to be in her home watching the working boats, beautiful
sunsets and listening to the waves hit the sandy shore.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Heather Smith 19592019..
Death notice for the town of: Bathurst, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick