Remembering Heather Mains

By now, most of you have heard of Heather’s tragic death in a kayaking accident on September 1, 2007. As her life and business partner the impact on our family and the business is doubly devastating. For those of you who knew and had come in contact with Heather the shock of the news was equally paralyzing.

In trying to put my thoughts on paper for this month's 'Mindful Observations' I quickly come to grips that I cannot possibly capture all that can be said in one written session. There is so much to recount about her life. I simply have trouble knowing where to start. However one step has taken place that will bring me closer to doing justice to ‘remembering’ Heather. Family, friends and colleagues have written in with their stories and tributes to Heather. Each story brings to light a diverse piece of Heather not experienced by all. Like a quilt in the making each piece blends itself into one large comforting story about Heather’s life and what she made of it. Thank you to all who have contributed stories and images. It has helped me and our family come closer to knowing Heather and to the people she had come in contact with.

It is my goal to put a book together of stories about Heather. Stories we can share and learn from. Heather was a storyteller and believed in carrying stories throughout the generations. Let us listen to the stories and carry on with hope, goodness and peace for the generations to come.

John Di Costanzo 
Fall 2007                                                        

Obituary - Heather Mains, Feb 1, 1957 - Sept 1, 2007

Heather has left us, but she leaves an enduring legacy.

Heather’s advocacy in the not-for-profit sector reflected her deep concern about how people can interact compassionately with other people, animals, and the environment. She was a dedicated champion of women’s health and well-being; a fun-loving mother to Curtis and Mia; and a friend to society’s under-served. “Helping to transform social cause into social action” was both her mantra and that of the social marketing company, Duegood, she founded with her life partner, John.

In Heather’s various roles as mother, doula, speaker, and educator, she thrived on connecting people and ideas. Her interests were boundless and her curiosity was endless.  Whether curating art shows, breaking new ground in quality maternal care, exploring self healing through Jin Shin Jyutsu, or carving down a ski hill, Heather embraced life with energy, flair and compassion. Nature – and especially, water – were fundamental to Heather’s spiritual being. She died in a kayaking accident on the Tay River in Perth, Ontario.

Heather’s network of colleagues, friends and family were invited to remember and celebrate her fifty years of life in a memorial service at the Metropolitan Community Church, 115 Simpson Ave., Toronto on Sat., September 22 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please support the causes that were close to Heather’s heart. Consider donating to your local hospice, or to the Association for Research on Mothering (www.yorku.ca/arm/) or to DONA (www.dona.org).

Through water Heather lives and plays.
Through water she leaves us behind
and continues her journey.
Through water her spirit will always remain with us.