Donate to Heather's Memorial Bench and Charities

Heather Kathleen Grau

April 1, 1991 – May 30, 2025

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Heather Kathleen Grau, 34, of Charlestown on Friday, May 30th. She was born at South County Hospital on April 1, 1991 to Crandall and Barbara (Belknap) Dimock of South Kingstown.

A graduate of South Kingstown High School, Heather earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health science from Quinnipiac University, pursuing a passionate career as a Physician Assistant. Inspired by her academic work and volunteer experiences abroad, Heather dedicated herself to primary care and family medicine, with a special focus on caring and advocating for immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and those traditionally underserved by the health care system. Her journey took her across the country to Walla Walla, Washington, where she served in a community health center through the National Health Service Corps—and where she met and married the love of her life, Tristan Grau.

In 2021, Heather and Tristan returned to Rhode Island to be near her family. She continued her practice with Brown University Health Primary Care, where she was known for her deep compassion, fierce advocacy, and unwavering commitment to her patients’ well-being.

Heather brought the same passion to every part of her life. She was an avid outdoor adventurer, sailor, gifted artist, baker, and dedicated gardener. A proud graduate of the University of Rhode Island Master Gardener program, she found joy in volunteering at the URI Bee Lab at East Farm and in nurturing the natural world around her, especially Rhode Island’s native plants and pollinators.

Besides her parents and husband, Heather is survived by her brother, Chris Dimock, and his wife, Camia; and her three cherished nieces—Sula, Tala, and Celeste, and many other friends and family, including her beloved Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Rhody.

A private memorial service will be held, and memories or condolences may be shared on the Avery-Storti website . To honor Heather's memory, donations may be made in her name to the University of Rhode Island Bee Lab and to South County Pride.

A memorial fund has also been established to place a bench in her name along the South County shore—a peaceful place for reflection and remembrance.

Donations for this fund will be used to build a memorial bench in Heather's honor. Any additional or remaining funds will be donated to the URI Bee Lab and South County Pride Foundation .