Heather Mary was born Thursday, September 21, 1939 to William and Mary (Golem) Jackson. She had two older sisters, Ruth and Wanda, and the family resided on a farm on the Bentinck side of the Sullivan – Bentinck Townline.
Heather attended S.S. #7 Scone and Chesley District High School, graduating at the age of 16. She chose a career in education, first teaching for a year in a one-room schoolhouse near Dornoch and then attending Stratford Teacher’s College. Upon completion, she accepted a position teaching in Acton. She continued her own education part-time while working, and received her B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1989.
Just as her career was beginning, a young man, James Alexander “Kenneth” Hewitson, entered Heather’s life. Ken’s family farm was just four miles down the road from the Jackson’s. Ken joked that his trips to Stratford and Acton were becoming too expensive, and he soon proposed. The couple were married on August 10, 1963 at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Chesley and soon made Elmwood their home.
Ken and Heather welcomed their only child, a son, James Kenneth, on August 12, 1964. After a short maternity leave, Heather resumed teaching, now at James A. Magee in Hanover, where she worked until her retirement in 1994. One of her fondest memories while teaching was reading The Hobbit aloud to her students and seeing their delight. Heather continued to supply teach after her retirement for several years.
Heather loved quiet time to herself. Reading was her passion, and some of her favourite novelists included Edith Wharton, Emile Zola and Alice Munro. Music was a source of pleasure, and her taste was eclectic, ranging from Gustav Mahler to Jerry Lee Lewis.
She worked and volunteered at the Chesley Library. Geneva Presbyterian Church was also very important to Heather and she held numerous volunteer positions within the church. She enjoyed crosswords and baking, and she loved animals.
Heather passed away at Brucelea Haven, Walkerton on Friday, January 13, 2017 in her 78th year.
Beloved wife of Ken. loving mother of James and mother-in-law of Yvonne Pelletier. Heather will be sadly missed by her sister Wanda Alles of Chesley and sisters-in-law Carol Brown of Tweed and Doreen McWilliams of Sackville, N.B. She was predeceased by her sister Ruth White and her parents, William and Mary (Golem) Jackson.
In respecting Heather’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no further services. Inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Alzheimer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
