Obituary of Heather Dawn Black

Peacefully at home after a four year battle with breast cancer, it is with profound sadness that the family of Heather Dawn Black announce her passing on November 25th, 2019.  Born June 25th, 1974, Heather was a beloved daughter of David and Faye Black and cherished wife of Dave Collins.  Besides her parents and husband, Heather is survived by her sisters, Patricia Black (Ken Lerette) and Dale Black (Jim Lambe); brother, Greg Black; as well as her nephews, Andrew Black (Beck Johnson) and Nicholas and Nathan Devost.  She is also survived by her aunts, Winnie Haines and Holly Haines with whom she shared a special connection through their mutual love of gardening and birding.  Step-mother to Dave's grown sons, Cory, Ryan and Christian Collins, Heather was thrilled to be a grandmother of eight.  Predeceased by her maternal and paternal grandparents; her aunt, Carole Laird and uncle, Bill Haines.

Heather spent her summers at the family cottage skipping stones, catching fireflies and jumping off overturned row boats into the Saint John River at Carters Point.  S'mores and secrets were shared around many bonfires with her friend Anne Boudreau.  As Heather grew so did her passion for gardening.  It was at an early age that she showed a true talent as a horticulturist.  Even before she graduated from the Landscape/Horticultural Program at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Heather could recite the Latin names for nearly every flower she came in contact with.  The size of her garden magazines and book collection was rivaled only by the expansive garden that she and her husband Dave spent years working in together.  When winter put the garden to bed they would spend hours watching HGTV and planning their spring acquisitions that always included a Japanese maple or two.  Animals needing a home naturally found their way to Heather.  Dogs, cats, fish and even a nest of starlings were pampered and loved. 

After working with a number of local garden centres and landscape companies, Heather went on to complete a business degree at UNBSJ.  She joined the family trucking business as Office Manager in 2008 where she remained until her health no longer allowed it.  Heather has been truly missed by her co-workers.

Heather had a few very special friendships.  She treasured time spent with Litsa Petrakos and Jonathan Scott, especially road trips to Boston.

Sincere gratitude to Heather’s many caregivers, particularly Laura Dupuis who along with staff from the Extra-Mural Program, Bayshore and Riley's Home Care enabled Heather to remain at home.  Thank you to her medical team including Dr. Burnell, Dr. Naz, Dr. Graves and the staff in the Oncology Department.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row Saint John (634-7424) from where the visitation will be held on Thursday, November 28th from 2:00 - 8:00 pm.  Funeral Service will be held at RiverCross Church (61 Forbes Drive) on Friday, November 29th at 11:00 am.  Please join the family for a reception following the service.  Interment will take place at Old Cedar Hill Cemetery immediately after the reception.  Donations may be made to the Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue or to the Canadian Cancer Society (MBC Research). 

www.BrenansFH.com