Help Heather devastated by the loss of Neil

This fundraiser will provide financial relief for Heather after the sudden and devastating loss of her soul mate and loving husband Neil Holzworth on September 3,2021, believed to have passed peacefully in his sleep. Neil left this world much too soon and left many families and friends in shock trying to come to terms with his passing. With the Covid-19 pandemic still active and entering the fourth wave, Heather will be without sufficient income for 6 – 12 months while waiting to receive the coroners report on the official cause of his sudden death. Covid-19 has put a strain on all aspects of healthcare and the Coroners office has been affected with longer processing times. I reached out to Heather to make sure my good intentions would not be an insult to her strength or pride, Heather was overwhelmed with the gesture of kindness stating “now I am ugly crying” which truly speaks to her kind nature. Heather being a proud woman, she would NEVER ask for financial assistance so I am asking as a friend of hers to help support her needs. I know Heather enough to know she would simply struggle in silence trying to put all the pieces together for her fur babies putting herself last. I asked her when she would be returning to work and Heather explained she has exhausted all vacation days and special leave days and has to return to work October 1, 2021. Without Neil’s income it will be a struggle for Heather to take over all the household expenses as Neil was the main source of income in the home and took care of all the finances . In his passing I don’t want to see Heather have to add a financial struggle to the list of stressors.

I first met Heather when I was a nurse in the NICU unit at UHNBC, her smile and great humor always added to my shift as she would take a sneak peek at the babies to fill her heart for the day. Heather always had a way to ensure our stock was full, organized and ready for use for all the neonates we cared for. Sadly Heather moved on and we parted ways staying in touch through Facebook as I watched her and Neil’s amazing fishing adventures unfold. Years later in my new nursing role inspecting a Long Term Care home I heard her infectious laughter echoing down the hall as she was chatting it up with the seniors. Instantly I smiled and knew how incredibly fortunate the facility was to have this amazing kind woman working there. Her love of people extends into her compassion for animals and is always an advocate for animal rescue. You will always see Heather involved in some rescue mission with animals looking for ways to support all fur babies in this world.

Neil met Heather at age 12 where two hearts became one. Neil was well known in the logging community and was described as a kind hearted man who would give you the shirt off his back. Friends and family shared Neils unwavering ability to be the first to jump in and help anyone in need. Together they lived a humble life, enjoying the outdoors as they were avid outdoor enthusiasts. For me every memory included them being together, being best friends and being life mates. Heather’s whole life has been shattered in a moment and it will be hard enough to process his passing in isolation as Covid-19 continues to isolate many of her family supports from being at her side. There is a long road ahead that Heather will have to face in Neil’s passing, I know Neil would be devastated to see Heather struggle through this journey financially but the timing could not have been in a more desperate time in our world. These things are not supposed to happen to good people but they do happen, as Neil would say “see you at the end of the road, I will be waiting”.

Thanks for any support you can provide to Heather in her greatest time of need.

Respectfully,

Tammy And Ethel