It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
Heather Schoeler
March 29, 1961 - November 1, 2011
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Biography Eulogy Family Tree Life Stories Photos Media Guestbook Contribute
<div itemprop="description"> <p> <b> Heather Schoeler (n&eacute;e McKenzie) </b> </p> <p> <i> &nbsp; </i> </p> <p> <i> Wife. Mother. Friend. Mentor. Traveller. Ethical advocate. Leader. Lucky Star. </i> </p> <p> Born in Mississauga, March 29, 1961. <br /> Died peacefully on November 1, 2011 at Baycrest Hospital in Toronto. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> Beloved wife of Bob and mother of John and Rachel, Heather will be lovingly remembered by her family: parents Bernice and John McKenzie; sister Beth Everson (Warren); mother-in-law Marylis (partner Tom Balland); sisters- and brothers-in-law John Schoeler (Judi), Debbie Riverso, Kim Schoeler, and Bill Schoeler (Mary Lou); her nieces and nephews: Mark Everson, Sara Everson, Todd Riverso (Whitney), Katie Riverso (Cameron Bogue), Daniel Riverso (Lauren Gamble), Jennifer Schoeler (Tom Balkos), Beth Schoeler (Doug Herko), Mike Schoeler (Julie), Isaac Robinson (Allison MacDonald), Rebecca Schoeler, Brian Schoeler, Bridget Schoeler and David Schoeler; and her large circle of friends and colleagues. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> In his novel, &ldquo;A Prayer for Owen Meany&rdquo;, John Irving wrote: <i> &ldquo;If you&rsquo;re lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.&rdquo; </i> </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> This quote is a fitting preface to describe the exceptional life of Heather Schoeler, firstly, because it comes from one of her favourite books, and secondly, because Heather did indeed find a way of life that she truly loved, and had the courage to live it. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> Like one of her favourite artists, Henri Matisse, Heather had the ability to look past the surface to find the essential character of things, an ability that served her well both professionally and privately. She embraced life and enjoyed it to the fullest as a loving wife, mother, sister, and daughter; as a genuine and loyal friend; and as an accomplished businesswoman highly respected by her peers. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> A graduate of Seneca College, Heather was intelligent and driven. She earned her MBA from Athabasca University while working full-time, maintaining a solid marriage, and raising two small children. Burns Fry, Rhodnius, Scudder Canada and ING Investment Management were some of the stops in her extraordinary career, as she moved from administrative assistant to office manager to vice-president. Heather was passionate about ethics, which made her most recent role as Vice President of Social Responsibility at Intact Financial Corporation particularly rewarding. Throughout her career she was proud to be involved in youth mentorship programs such as Youth in Motion&rsquo;s Top 20 Under 20. She was also extremely philanthropic and community-minded, and supported several charities such as Juvenile Diabetes, the United Way and, most recently, Raising The Roof. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> Relaxed but rarely idle, Heather loved to travel with family and friends, enjoyed reading, theatre, golf, laughter and lively conversation. But above all else, she loved her high school sweetheart, Bob, and her most treasured achievements, her children, John and Rachel. A beautiful, intelligent and witty woman, Heather&rsquo;s life is a shining example of character, courage, integrity, and the power of love. She will live forever in our hearts. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> Thank you to her many dear friends for their kind thoughts and support. Thank you also to the staff at Baycrest Hospital for the care and comfort they provided, and the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and York Central Hospital for their kind assistance over the years. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> Visitation to be held on Friday, November 4, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Service to take place on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Visitation Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 2V8. </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> In lieu of flowers, donations to Raising the Roof will be appreciated. Raising the Roof provides strong and effective national leadership on long-term solutions to homelessness through partnership and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, investment in local communities, and public education. Their vision is: All members of Canadian society have access to a safe and stable home, together with the supports they need to achieve their potential. To find out more, visit www.raisingtheroof.org. To make a donation in Heather&rsquo;s name visit: www.canadahelps.org and search for &ldquo;Raising the Roof Chez Toit&rdquo;. </p> </div>