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Obituary of Heather Lorraine Mary Trainor
June 20, 1948 - Montreal, Quebec
November 13, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Heather Lorraine Mary Trainor on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the age of 74 years.
Heather was born in Montreal on June 20, 1948, to Mary Ann and Joseph Trainor. She was a bright and spirited child who would challenge convention and do the right thing despite the consequences. This spirit stayed with her throughout her life and was behind the successes she achieved in business and her personal life.
In the early 1980s, Heather relocated to Calgary where she worked as a realtor and then for the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission. It was during this period that she met Lawrence Harvey and they have been devoted to each other ever since.
Heather was born with an honesty and purity that did not fade. She held onto these qualities and moved forward without cynicism, always able to see the good in people. She was fiercely protective of and cared deeply for her family. She was a generous, thoughtful, and forgiving friend. Those with the good fortune to be sheltered beneath her wings were privileged to experience a state of grace. Heather was joyful, playful, and grateful for the simplest of things - the first green shoots of spring, the busy birds in her beautiful gardens, the turning of the leaves, and the first dusting of snow. She had a lively sense of humour, a keen sense of the ridiculous, and an enduring curiosity about the world and its creatures.
Heather loved animals. Over the years, she and Lawrence provided a home for several lucky dogs and one very lucky cat. She also helped many grateful two and four-legged clients through her dog-training company, Muttessori.
In 1997, Heather founded and organized Calgary’s Blessing of the Animals service. In this annual celebration of Saint Francis of Assisi, people were invited to bring their companions and service animals to a Calgary church to be blessed by the clergy. Heather was immensely proud of the success of this service which included all manner of animal life. It was especially satisfying to see police service horses and dogs being recognized for their selfless contributions to our way of life. As a testament to Heather’s gift with animals - and people - no fur flew during the many years these services were held, despite the pews being packed with unrelated cats and dogs.
Heather faced increasingly challenging medical prognoses over many, many years with immense fortitude and grit. Her health problems didn’t mark an “end” for her, but rather became part of the ongoing process through which she crafted her life. A warrior to the end; her spirit was never broken. The lesson of Heather’s life, through all the obstacles, is that life is a meaning to be lived out.
She leaves to mourn and honour her memory her adored husband Lawrence Harvey, stepson Paul Harvey (Rosaline), grandchildren, Ryan and Elliot, and many grateful friends. Her beloved mother Mary Ann, brother Michael, and sister Carol predeceased her.
Details for the Celebration of Heather’s Life will be announced in the next few weeks. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
In living memory of Heather Trainor, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
