HEATHER ANNE MILAN

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HEATHER ANNE MILAN (nee LAWRENCE) (1947 - 2015, 68 years) Loved by all After a heroic fight against cancer, Heather finally succumbed to the disease on June 17, 2015. Heather will sadly be missed by her family, husband Bob, son Kelly Milan, brother Paul Lawrence, mother-in-law Pearl Milan, daughter-in-law Sharon Milan, sister-in-law Eva Lawrence, grandchildren Lauren, Heather, and Bryan Milan and her nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents Herb and Connie Lawrence, and brother Brock. Heather was born in Wawanesa, Manitoba, in the scenic Souris River Valley, a bustling and progressive farming community. She grew up in a loving family with endless rich childhood experiences with her parents and brothers Paul and Brock. She had a well rounded upbringing and was always a top student and was voted valedictorian. After graduating from Wawanesa Collegiate in 1965, she moved to Winnipeg and started her Pharmacy degree at the University of Manitoba. In her first year of pharmacy she met the love of her life Bob. They married in the "summer of love", 1967. Their only son Kelly was born December 2, 1967. Heather took a year off pharmacy school and dedicated it to raising Kelly. Rising to the many challenges, she finished her pharmacy degree in 1970. This was an extraordinary achievement. Even more admirable was receiving the gold medal for highest academic standing in her graduating year of Pharmacy. Heather started her career at Mount Carmel Clinic on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg's North End helping the underprivileged. It was here that she further developed her social conscience. Her leadership skills shined in many ways including helping to organize and then becoming the first president of the first union of healthcare employees at Mount Carmel Clinic. They became a local, part of CUPE. Heather's passion for public pharmacy practice continued and after 10 years she moved to the St. Boniface Hospital and by 1990 was lead pharmacist. In 1999, she was successful in achieving the position of Regional Pharmacy Manager with the Winnipeg Hospital Authority. In 2002, she achieved the position of Manager of Drug Distribution with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority until her retirement in 2010. One of many of her professional achievements was overseeing and help leading the implementation of Pyxis/AutoMed, a computerized drug distribution system now used in all Winnipeg hospitals. It was a huge advancement regarding how drugs are managed and dispensed in Winnipeg Hospitals. Throughout her career, she achieved many distinctions including: In 1981, Heather fulfilled all the requirements and an exam and was admitted to the Register of Pharmacists of the Pharmacy Board of Canada. She now had the distinction of being qualified to practice pharmacy in every province of Canada. Also, she received her Health Management Certificate for Pharmacists and the Merck Frost Achievement award in 2002 for outstanding pharmacy practice. She also served as a Governor on The Board of Governors at The University of Manitoba, 2007 to 2010. Heather was the very definition of success. Her life was balanced and well grounded. Success for her was all encompassing, including loving her family, recreational pursuits, active living, and her professional contributions. She had exceptional problem solving skills, high ethical standards, and remarkable rationale thought. She always knew the right and proper thing to do. She had good judgment and a positive personality admired by all who knew her. She gave it her all with people and was selfless. She was very well grounded. In her whole rewarding career journey, she was highly respected by her professional colleagues and the many staff working under her. Heather's priorities were always precise and unerring. Family was number one. She always made time to care for and spend quality time with her immediate and extended family. Her love for family was deep and unconditional. It was imperative that she always saw her grandchildren at least once a week and hosted Sunday family dinners. Heather was highly involved in the lives of her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Her son benefitted immensely from her professional skills and judgment in so many ways including consultative advice for his physiotherapy clinic. Her grandchildren loved the frequent times they had with her at the parks, Clear Lake, MB, Skiing in Fernie, BC, and of course shopping for books, toys, and clothes. Her influence can be seen in the positive aspects of their personalities. Heather and her husband Bob have a large group of friends. They added much happiness and greatly enriched her life. Heather pursued active living. There was a whole spectrum of activities and adventures spent with family and friends including: difficult hikes like the Chilkoot Pass Trail in the Yukon, Gorge Creek in Riding Mountain, Skoki Lodge, AB and Mountain trails in Jasper, AB. She pursued cross country skiing and canoe trips in Manitoba's treasured wilderness. She downhill skied with her family in Fernie, BC as recently as 2010. Her travels included New Zealand, China, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, The Soviet Union, East and West Germany, much of Europe, multiple trips to the UK, Greenland, Hawaii and Hong Kong. Many of her professional conferences were held all across Canada and the U.S. To say she was well traveled is an understatement. Heather loved the theatre. Together with Bob and their friends, they attended Prairie Theatre Exchange and the Manitoba Theatre Centre over the last 30 years. She also attended many an opera. Heather and Bob sought out theatre everywhere they travelled including, London, Stratford-on-Avon, and New York. Heather was a voracious reader with always a book on the go. Governor General Medal winners, Giller Prize winners, all the best sellers and authors found their way to Heather's eyes. Bob and Heather belonged to a book reading club consisting of four other couples, among her best friends, dating back to the early 1970s. For 40 years the club met five times a year to have dinner, discuss a book, laugh and talk into the night. It was a most rewarding experience both socially and intellectually. Heather, a most remarkable person, will be sadly missed by her husband, family, and circle of friends. She is and will remain a shining star in our lives. The family would like to thank the staff for the excellent care provided by CancerCare Manitoba, Seven Oaks General Hospital, Home Care, the nurses and doctors in the Palliative Care Program, Ester Daga and her private Health Care Assistants in Heather's home, especially Karen and Deanne. In lieu of flowers, donations to CancerCare Manitoba would be appreciated. A celebration of life for Heather will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, on Tuesday, June 30 at 2:00 p.m. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2015