Obituary of Heather Klein

Heather passed away peacefully at home on April 2, 2010 in her 85th year. Predeceased by loving parents Lily and David Caminer, and beloved husband Gerald (1994), Heather was the cherished sister of Iris (Harold, dec.), and Myrtle (Stanley), dearest mother of Laura and Stephen, adored grandmother of Ayla and Charles, aunt and great-aunt of many in England and Australia. Born in London, England in 1925, Heather became a nurse in January 1944, then continued with midwifery, helping birth 18 babies before leaving to become engaged to Gerry, whom she married in 1949. In 1953 the young family of four emigrated to Canada and lived in Montreal and Edmonton before settling in London in 1959. Heather became active in the Hadassah-Wizo organization, serving many years as treasurer and in other capacities and helping to organize the Hadassah Bazaar. In 1981 she became a Life Member of the National Council of Jewish Women. For over 40 years she served as an active member of the Chevra Kadisha. Heather was a long-time volunteer at the Children’s Psychiatric Research Centre and was a warm and welcoming face to many at the day surgery desk of University Hospital where she volunteered weekly for 18 years. Heather was known in the community for her dignity, grace, warmth and good humour. She was an elegant hostess for Gerry while he was an executive with Kayser-Roth of Canada and then worked alongside him at their bookshops for 20 years, where she served customers with her usual charm and knowledge of the books they loved so much. Her special joy was to be the children’s book buyer for the stores. Heather was a wonderful mother, encouraging, supportive, generous with her time and abundant love. She was a loving grandmother, for many years making biannual treks across Canada to be with Laura and Ayla and Charlie on Salt Spring Island, BC. Heather was an enthusiastic participant of yoga, fitness and for the past 20 years, Tai Chi, becoming accomplished enough to help lead classes. Over the years Heather had many long-lasting and strong friendships, not only in her own peer group, but with those much younger as well. Her support and absolute trustworthiness were counted on and will be missed by many. Among those will be her Stitch and Bitch group, of which she was an integral part for over 20 years. Heartfelt thanks to those friends who supported us in this journey of the last 8 months. We also give our deep appreciation and gratitude for excellent care to Dr. Paul Ferner, Trudy Henricks (of the VON, along with Helen, PJ, Elizabeth, and others), Cassandra Douglas, Angela Quaite and other staff of St. Elizabeth’s Health Care, Joan Walgos and Janice Marchant, our very special angel of the past few months. Friends who wish to do so may make memorial donations to the charity of their choice. Funeral service will be held at the Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street (car pooling suggested) on Sunday, April 4th at 12 noon followed by interment in Or Shalom Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit on Sunday, April 4th and Monday, April 5th from 2:30-9:30 pm at Apt. 402, 693 Windermere Rd. (car pooling suggested, extra parking alongside the soccer fields on Windermere Rd.). Shiva service will be held on Monday, April 5th at 8 pm. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Sunday, April 4, 2010