Heather McGill

Heather McGill was a bright, beautiful and talented woman, who was blessed with so many gifts in her lifetime. She was a talented artist, singer, and photographer, and a vivacious, spontaneous lady, too. Most of all, Heather was a beloved mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, who passed her passion for living to all those around her.

Heather’s story began on a cool winter day in 1939, in Dalhousie, New Brunswick, Canada. John and Margaret (Salter) Hamilton celebrated the birth of a baby girl, a daughter they named Heather.

Heather was the couple’s only child, and her father was a hardworking pipe fitter and her mother was a homemaker. Growing up in the beautiful city of Dalhousie gave young Heather an appreciation for the outdoors, for the ocean, and for the fresh lobster that became her favorite food.

Sadly, Heather’s father died of a sudden heart attack when she was just 13, which was a difficult blow to the family. Her mother was a strong woman, however, and they packed up and moved west to Montreal, Quebec, in search of better opportunities. Her mother worked as a nurse in Montreal to support them.

Heather’s mother made sure that her daughter’s childhood didn’t suffer, and she fondly remembered the special trip they took together, driving all the way across the USA to Southern California, visiting Disney Land and the Southwest U.S.

Heather eventually graduated from St. Willow Broad High School, and promptly entered Marianapolis College, where she earned her teaching certificate. Diploma in hand, Heather began teaching elementary school, though soon she’d have children of her own to consider.

One day Heather met a man named John Beaudoin, introduced to her by John’s sister Madeleine, through her church’s Social Dramatics Club, and they hit it off. After dating for awhile, the two were married at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, in Verdun, Quebec, in 1960.

The next year in 1961, the newlyweds became parents with their daughter, Gemma. Their son Jason soon followed, and Peter after that.

As the family grew, Heather and John moved around, seeking better opportunities. They moved to the United States in 1965, as John worked as a sales representative. They lived first in Wheeling, Illinois, then Peoria, Illinois, then Toledo, Ohio, where their son Jamie rounded out the family. The last move for the family was Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1970.

Heather was a caring mother, who doted on her kids and enjoyed teaching them and sharing her passion and curiosity for the world with them. She was also an excellent cook, whose mincemeat tarts were a family favorite, as were her brownies and her roast with Yorkshire pudding. The holidays were always an especially wonderful time in her home, and later on when the kids had grown, Heather never failed to send out holiday cards and “care packages” for the whole family.

Heather’s marriage to John ended in 1973, though she wasn’t meant to be alone for long. She met Frank McGill, and they were married in 1975 and lived their married life in Hopkins, Michigan. Frank preceded her in death in 2002.

Heather worked as an Executive Administrative Secretary at Pfizer in Kalamazoo for many years, though she always thought of herself by her first career, that of a teacher.

Heather was far from all work and no play, however. She was truly a woman of many talents, and many passions, a spontaneous, vivacious woman who lived in the moment. She was a gifted artist, specializing in pastels, and a great photographer, too. She’d fill countless albums with her photos, with handwritten captions on sticky notes.

Heather enjoyed her English-Scottish heritage, and loved listening to bagpipes at the Highland Festivals. She also loved all the British shows on PBS, along with old romantic movies and nature shows, too. She always had a love for nature, and enjoyed sitting in her bay window at home, enjoying the birds and nature.

Heather was also a woman of faith, who was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, too. She sang in her church choir and once even sang for the Pope, during an audience with him! Though she was baptized Protestant, she lived most of her life as a Catholic, until joining the Unity Church this past year. She also taught Sunday school at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Watson for awhile.

Heather was a very adventurous woman, and loved to travel and see the world. She joined many tour groups over the years, visiting Egypt, Europe, China and Africa. She even bought a Class C RV, named “Heather’s Hornet,” and drove it all over the country.

Heather retired from Pfizer in 2003. She began traveling with RV clubs. She wintered in Cedar Keys, Florida, returning to Kalamazoo when the snows broke. She also met a man named Otto Buder, who was a member of the Eagles Lodge with her. They became wonderful companions for each other, and especially enjoyed the Saturday night dances at the Lodge. She also was very active at the Portage Senior Center, as a member of the Portage Senior Choir, and taught pastel painting, too.

Sadly, Heather suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on Thanksgiving evening in 2007, and never regained consciousness. She died at Borgess Hospital on Monday, November 26, 2007, at the age of 68. She continued to give of herself with organ donation through the Gift of Life Program.

Heather was a passionate woman, who lived a full life, a life completed by her family, her many friends, fun times and fond memories. She was blessed with so many gifts in her lifetime. Anyone who met Heather instantly recognized her as a special, unique, caring individual. More than anything, Heather was a loving mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, whose passion for living lives on today in all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Heather was preceded in death by her parents John and Margaret Hamilton; and a grandson, Peter (PJ) Beaudoin. Surviving are her children: Gemma (Steve) English, Jason (Amy) Beaudoin, Peter (Dianna) Beaudoin, and Jamie (Amanda) Beaudoin; grandchildren: Alex and Bryson Tesler, Lucas and Dylan Beaudoin, Paul Beaudoin, and Vivian and Joseph Beaudoin; special friend, Otto Buder; father of the children, John (Karen) Beaudoin. The family will be present to receive friends Thursday from 2:00-4:00 PM at the funeral home where a service will be held Thursday evening 7:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home-Betzler 6080 Stadium Dr 375-2900. The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00 PM and again following the service until 8:00 PM. Cremation will follow. Please visit Heather’s web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign the online guest book or share a favorite memory or photo or make a contribution to the Portage Senior Center or the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.