Heather Joy Cole

It is impossible to capture the impact that one very special person has on so many other people in just a few words – our Heather was so very precious to all her family and friends. She was a loving mother who devoted her whole being to her two young sons; she was an integral part of an extended family who were so very important to her; she made friendships easily and kept them for life; she invested so much of herself into nurturing relationships with all of us; she was a talented artist and writer; she put so much energy into helping herself; and she was passionate about helping other people to understand more about mental illness.

Heather was loved deeply and her death has left a hole in our hearts and lives that will never be filled. Most of the time she was a bright, outgoing young woman but when she was in the depths of despair, she couldn’t see how much we all cared and how helpless we felt when faced with her ‘black dog’.

Sometimes, on our journey through life we meet people, who leave footprints on our minds. They challenge us to see things differently and to question our personal reality.

Sometimes on our journey through life we meet people, who leave footprints on our hearts. They create a safe place for us to open our hearts to feel loved and special.

Then sometimes, on our journey through life we meet people who leave footprints on our souls. They share themselves with us so profoundly that they touch the very essence of who we are in that secret quiet place.

Heather has left gentle footprints on the minds, hearts and souls of all who knew and loved her. We always remember the beauty of her love, her kindness and the special way she touched our lives.