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Heather; our daughter, niece, cousin, and best friend was suddenly taken from
our family on November 21st, 2005. Her sudden death blind-sided us all, and
while we are left with the gift of loving memories, they are tempered by the
profound grief in our loss. Our loss encompasses the compassion, the deepest and
most sincere manner of kindness, the infectious laughter, the brilliant grace and wisdom, and
the unwavering testament to tolerance and acceptance; all these abiding truths of Heather,
her gifts to us - are gone from our earthly blessings. These gifts have become the
treasure within our memories and spirit, but they seem a high price at the cost of her
absense to those who miss her here on earth.
Heather's Beauty
Gleeful laughter as gentle and sweet as the sparrow's song,
Blue eyes that sparkled like the ocean's horizon,
Red hair that played with the sunlight and rivaled sunset;
An illuminant complexion radiating the glow of sweet kindness
With the smooth luxury of satin
- All gifts of your earthly beauty -
Suddenly taken from our sight, our touch, our hearing.
Yet the true beauty; the beauty that is you
Transcends the tangible confines of colors, images, sounds, and textures
To find an infinite place of eternal grace
Where your beauty escapes the mortal boundaries unbefitting its elegance
To reveal the harmonious sound of your sincerity,
The deep hew of your compassion,
And the luscious texture of your unconditional love.
Your beauty has ascended to a place where
The only limits will be the ones that we impose
When we fail to let it live on
In our every act of kindness;
Or when we will not let it breathe
In the ambrosial spring breeze
So that it cannot embrace us
In the warmth of an unclouded sun
As it appears to us
In cherry blossoms and blue skies.
Jacqueline C. Mercurio copyright 2005
Heather was born on April 13th, 1978; Springtime - when the buds of cherry blossoms taunt naked branches
with their promise of color, warmth, and the beauty that is about to unfold. Perhaps the timing of
Heather's birth should have served as a poignant caution to all who would come to know and and love her;
that like the cherry blossom, she would enter our lives to bring a beauty of such contrast all too briefly.
Heather's red hair, blue eyes, and peach complexion dazzled all the colors of spring's revelation - as did
her cheery and bright disposition. She faced much adversity in her short life, and never once allowed these
obstacles to dampen her spirit or restrain love, compassion, or kindness. A consciencious and
eager student, Heather began her academic life at the Grenloch Terrace Kindergarten in 1983. She was a
bright and happy child all through her elementary school years at John Glenn Elementary, and graduated
Overbrook Regional High School in Pine Hill in 1996.
Most remarkable about Heather's accomplishments during her school years - especially her high school
years - was the sincere grace and uncommon wisdom with which she achieved them. The brazen and
often callous affect of youth can make the high school years difficult to weather; especially for those
who don't conform or "fit in." Heather's human form did not conform to what society's youth considered to
be "in," but her spirit and enthusiasm broke through that barrier. It took great courage, tolerance,
and uncommon commitment for Heather to rise above the cruel mores of society's youth and accomplish
what she did - while doing it so well.
Following her graduation from High School, Heather enrolled in Camden County Technical College.
She graduated at the top of her class and received her degree in Medical Records Technology.
She was eagerly accepted on staff at Virtua West Hospital in Marlton as a medical records secretary.
At the time of her death, Heather was living with her mother and brother in Pine Hill, N.J.
She worked from home and had saved enough for a downpayment on a new home for her family.
Heather - along with her mother and aunt - made frequent trips to Delaware in search of a home.
Only days before she died, she had placed an official bid on a home in Magnolia, Delaware.
She was both proud and grateful to have achieved the ability to write the check that accompanied that
bid, and excited at the prospect of doing something so wonderful for her mother and brother.
Heather's favorite color was pink; thus the choice of color background for this page.
Favorite did not confine her, however. Heather's vibrant personality and adventurous spirit
applied verve to everything she touched and everyone she knew. She'd chosen a bold and colorful daisey
pattern for the accessories in the new room she'd anticipated after buying a new home.
In her room at home, she'd painted the walls a deep hue of sky-blue, while painstakingly painting
wistful clouds on every wall, and even applied stars on the ceiling that glowed at night.
Heather loved traveling to places rich with history and great vistas. She especially loved traveling to
Massachusettes with her mother and brother; her mother as driver and she as vigilant navigator.
During the return of one New England trip, Heather particularly enjoyed visiting the beautiful seaport of
Mystic, Connecticut - as she loved the movie, Mystic Pizza. Her last trip was taken to Cape Cod, Mass.
Just two months before her death, Heather, her mother, and aunt, visited Boston and stayed
in Cape Cod for five magnificent days; taking tours and seeing places like Salem, Plymouth, and Provincetown.
Heather seemed more excited than ever, and wanted to extend her stay. She was the relentless "shutter-bug"
taking pictures at every opportunity. Here is just one of the many beautiful photos that she captured:
Photo taken during a trolley tour through Salem
During her last trip, Heather was having the time of her life. We just could not know how prophetic
those words would be. It was a trip filled with laughter, awe at the beauty beheld, and great fun.
Heather was able to enjoy this trip all the more due to her signifgant weight loss. She out-walked
her mother and aunt everywhere they went. She was more energetic then ever, and felt very proud of her
weight-loss achievement. The weight loss may have been the most challenging of battles she'd ever
confronted, but she did so with fortitude and courage. Her effort was inspiring and humbling; but there
are those among her family whom sincerely believe that it was this battle that ultimately cost her life.
It is this author's informed opinion that Heather suffered a fatal cardiac event caused by the
weight loss supplement she was taking. The bitter orange extract - snyephine - has been REPORTED
to cause certain problems with the heart. This ingredient was found listed on the bottle of the "natural"
diet supplement that she was taking at the time of her death. The FDA does not regulate this industry.
Heather was dieting while eating healthy foods, and seemed healthier than ever before her sudden death.
In the face of her battle, and the way she was living her life, it seems an exceptionally cruel
possibility that this unregulated industry - an industry of mercenaries to this battle of weight loss -
would have become the cause of her death. This author strongly believes that the "possibility"
is a "probability," and in Heather's memory, urges anyone reading this piece to investigate further.
An Email
The following exerpt is taken from an email that I received in response to a christmas gift purchased
in Heather's memory, to serve to benefit others. It speaks poignantly to how our loss is everyone's loss..
FROM:Our Voices Together.org
Thank you so much! Your niece sounds like an exceptional woman and someone who was much loved
by her family. My condolences for not just your loss but
for our loss. She had precisely
those qualities that add so much to the world so her passing is a blow even to those of us who did not
know her personally. I always try to remember the philosophy of Ruth Koch, who lost her daughter,
son-in-law and two young grandchildren on the flight that
struck the Pentagon on September 11.
Ruth, who is in ill health herself, talks about the importance to continue to contribute to the
world the goodness she knows they would have contributed were they still here. She honors their
memories in ways large and small through acts of kindness,
warmth, generosity and compassion.
It is so wonderful to know that your family is doing the same in honor of Heather.
The following is a copy of a page taken from THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS
newsletter, written by her mother to honor Heather's birthday.
Send a message to Heather at:
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
A work in progress. Please check back soon.