Obituary

It is with aching hearts we announce Heather’s passing peacefully at her home in Toronto surrounded by her loving partner and her family. With courage and grit Heather battled for the last 18 months the cancer that ultimately took her life. Heather will be profoundly missed by the love of her life, Andrew Bodor and his two sons Michael and Robert; siblings Ian Whitton (Sandy Bresolin), Doug Whitton, and Martha Whitton (Chris Skelton); nieces and nephews, Madison Whitton and Patrick, Jonathan and Hannah Skelton. Heather was predeceased by her parents John and Sheila Whitton. Heather’s creativity and style was confidently expressed through her interests in art and design, photography, cooking, baking, gardening, feminism, her family cottage in McGregor Bay, the ballet, music and travel. She was passionately supportive of young people and their ambitions and education. She was loving, caring and generous to her friends and family. Heather was born in Toronto in 1953. The family moved to Montreal, then Oakville, ON in 1962 where she attended both elementary and high school. In 1972 she studied Art Fundamentals at Sheridan College, before attending Cleveland Institute of Art, graduating with a BFA Industrial Design in 1977. After graduating, Heather settled in Toronto where she worked at the design firms Savage Sloan and Don Watt & Associates, before starting Heather Whitton Design Associates in 1983. Heather became Director of Continuing Studies at OCAD in 1993 and held that position until 2003 when she enrolled at Brock University and graduated with an M.ed, Curriculum Studies in 2006. Heather joined Sheridan College in 2007 as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Animation Art and Design. She retired in June 2020. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Raphael, Dr. Philippe Toupin and Dr. Joshua Tepper for their compassion and care for Heather. A celebration of Heather’s life will be held at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday October 2nd. Reservation required. Livestream will also be available. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Heather’s honour to Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Center. Please reference that your gift is in honour of Heather Whitton. By phone 416-480- 4483 or online at https:// donate.sunnybrook.ca/tribute Alternatively, a donation to the National Ballet of Canada.

The Funeral Service will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/EQlIyr1kAaQ

Visitation

Service

Date
October 02, 2021
Location
Church of St. Mary Magdalene
Time
11:00 AM
Memo

Please note that attendance at service is by reservation only. Please contact Martha Whitton (sister) if you wish to attend. Link to livestream of the service https://youtu.be/EQlIyr1kAaQ

Cremation

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October 03, 2021
Lisa Sutcliffe
It was wonderful to be able to watch the livestream and learn about Heather's rich life outside of Sheridan. I worked with her primarily on program reviews, typically people's least favourite task at the college. I remember being a little intimidated by Heather at first and then one day I got my first smile and it was all good from there. My condolences to the family and especially to you Andrew.
October 02, 2021
Brad Culver, Cynthia Henderson, Olivia Culver
Many thanks to Andrew, his sons, Doug and the rest of the Whitton family for arranging the live-stream of today’s beautiful service for Heather. We were so happy to be able to hear from Heather’s family and friends. Heather was my Associate Dean at Sheridan for many years and she always inspired me with her compassion and kindness toward our students. And she was great fun! We have this favourite memory of our very young daughter Olivia happily working with Heather in the kitchen during one of Andrew’s famous back yard dinners. Heather was such a great mentor to our College students and also to young cooks like Olivia! She enhanced so many lives… Thank you Heather!
October 02, 2021
Louise Franklin
What a beautiful send off for Heather today! I joined her service from a distance and was delighted to hear all the memories and stories about Heather. Ian, Martha, Jonathan, Doug, Heather's friend, and Ed, THANK YOU. I had the pleasure of working for Heather at Sheridan. She truly inspired me. What a lovely, talented, fun person Heather was. We will all miss her dearly. Heather and I also shared a work-friendship that over the years I really enjoyed. I wish all of you my sincerest heart-felt condolences. May your fond memories help you through this difficult time. Heather was fortunate to have such a supportive partner in Andrew. My thoughts are with you and your boys.
October 02, 2021
Owen Colborne
Heather, I thank you and Andrew for the opportunity to step beyond my role as a technologist at Sheridan with the opportunity to teach. That opened doors for me that I am very grateful for.
October 02, 2021
Samuel Vaillancourt, Genevieve Bouchard, Henri and Rosalie
We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Heather’s family. In particular Andrew and family.
October 02, 2021
Stephanie Van Bebber
All my love to the family. When I think of Heather I remember that she was very curious about things and had a great smile. It is hard to know if this memory reflects who she was or whether she just showed an interest in a young girl that I was at the time when I probably last saw her. I imagine her enjoying, like I did, a bunch of cousins on a lake and that those relationships are cemented forever in who you are. In that regard I know her deeply. Love Steph
October 01, 2021
Clarence A. Porter
Years and years ago before Sheridan, I remember sitting on the floor of a fellow designer's studio with Heather having that usual conversation about clients and the biz. I was doing a job as freelance illustrator for Heather when she was Heather Whitton Design. Many years passed and then in 2012 I found a note left in my guess book from a show I was in and it was Heather. I contacted her, we met and talked about old times as if time had not passed. She offered me a position at Sheridan and the rest is.... I owe Heather so much. Andrew as well. I will miss Heather's smile, her kindness and friendship and I truly hurt for her loss and for Andrew. Rest in peace my wonderful friend.
September 29, 2021
April Hazan, Jonathan Berges, Levi and Beau
Our dear neighbour, Heather, and her adoring partner, Andrew, have been part of our daily lives for many years. We are grateful to have been blessed with Heather as our neighbour. She took great pride in her home and her garden which was always dressed elegantly for the season. She was generous in time and spirit and always patient with our boys. She even once told us after a vacation she missed their yelling and carrying on. Life on Maria Street will not be the same without her. She will be missed by so many of us. Our deepest condolences to Andrew and Heather’s family.
September 27, 2021
Elaine Brodie
Dear Heather, You were a welcoming, supportive “home base” for me over 10 years at Sheridan. You brought me onto your team with a warm, welcoming smile, and enthusiasm that matched my own. You actively listened, even to my more “out-there” ideas, and helped me grow as a teacher, providing leadership with a gentle and pragmatic hand. Your kindness, grace under pressure and genuine, caring nature made you a pleasure to be with. Your bright, often mischievous smile and sense of humour could always light up a room, and my spirits. You will be greatly missed! Sincere condolences to Andrew and your family.
September 25, 2021
Donna Braggins
I will remember how Heather inspired me with her creativity, generosity and grace and her wonderful sense of humour. Her love of family, friends and the all the pleasures of life will always be appreciated. Thinking of all of those touched by Heather's loss
September 25, 2021
Peter Fleming
I am so sorry for your loss, Andrew and Doug, and all of Heather’s family. Having worked with Heather on so many significant projects that guided my professional life for the past two decades, her passing has saddened me greatly. She was always even-handed and ensured that her conscience guided her in her decisions; that didn’t stop her from having a wicked sense of humour and an awareness of the absurdity of many situations. She always had my back, and I hope she knew I had hers. She knew how to make the necessary things in life feel truly enjoyable and sweated the details every day to make my job possible. We all know that she was never comfortable with accepting the accolades she rightfully deserved, and there were many. My heartfelt thanks for the example you set.
September 24, 2021
Leslie McGale
My sincere condolences go out to Andrew, Doug and the Whitton family. Heather was such a kind and generous person who willingly shared her time and expertise, especially when it came to design, cooking and books. She will be missed by many. Rest in peace dear friend.
September 23, 2021
Peter Palermo
Having worked with Heather for over 10 years, I learned what a generous caring person she truly was. She changed my life and the way I work, I am so grateful to have known her. I am broken-hearted over her loss and I will never forget her.
September 23, 2021
Lavinia Jula
I remember at the start of the pandemic, Heather starting a "tradition" of sharing our weekly recipes during our Sheridan weekly meetings. Her idea was to collect all the ingenious recipes we could come up with, using ingredients we already had on hand and compile them in a pandemic cookbook - an unfinished project now. In the middle of all that despair and unknown we were all facing, she found something positive and inspiring to focus on, and she encouraged us all to join in with our culinary creativity. This was Heather. A very small glimpse of the great person that she was and her outlook on life: always looking on the bright side, a problem solver and consensus builder. She will be missed greatly. Sincerest condolences to her family and friends for this terrible loss.
September 23, 2021
Todd Barsanti
I will always be thankful for the role Heather played in my life and career at Sheridan. She brought me onto her team and helped guide me through what proved to be a difficult time. She was almost like a parent at work, at a time when I'd lost one in real life. She helped me to navigate difficult scenarios, but balanced it with getting out of the way and letting me thrive. She trusted in the abilities of those she surrounded herself with and set a tone of camaraderie and respect amongst her teams. No easy task, but she made it look easy. My deepest condolences to Andrew and to Heather's family.
September 23, 2021
Jennifer Kominek
I will never forget that first day I sat and chatted with Heather. I loved her instantly – so humorous, incredibly wise and such a beautiful person. She is someone that will always stay with me. My heartfelt condolences.
September 23, 2021
Fran Massfeller
My heartfelt condolences to Doug, Andrew, and all family and friends of Heather. Such a loss to all, gone way too soon.
September 23, 2021
Linda Dalton
I worked with Heather at Sheridan for many years. We would speak passionately about student issues and somehow I remember her laughter most of all. Thinking of Andrew as well. Wishing Heather’s family peace and support during such a difficult time.
September 23, 2021
Angela Iarocci
To Doug, Heather's family, and loved ones — my sincere condolences for your loss. Heather had a positive impact on so many people and her legacy in education continues at Sheridan and beyond.
September 22, 2021
Mary Ann Maruska
I'm so sorry to hear this and am sending my sincerest condolences to you, Doug, and to you, Andrew.
September 22, 2021
Michelle Colasuonno
I am deeply saddened to learn of Heather's passing. I had the pleasure of getting to know Heather over a short period of a couple years at Sheridan. I enjoyed her humour very much, and she was always a friendly face. Sending condolences to all who loved her.
September 22, 2021
Gretchen Sankey
Seeing this picture generates the same response as when I would catch Heather's eyes in the halls at school; no matter how difficult the day, just her presence gave me a shot of confidence (and often a giggle). In turn, that inner boost allowed me to stretch as a teacher. Reading below, someone perfectly described her as "wonderfully mischievous"---I agree and remember thinking that she seemed to be cherishing the punch-line of a joke I had yet to hear. My most sincere condolences go out to dear Andrew and Heather's family. Such a loss.
September 22, 2021
Kirsten Abrahamson
Dear Heather, We will miss you. Your kindness, leadership, strength of spirit, and sense of humor will be missed. It was an honor and a privilege to work with you, and to call you my friend. Rest in peace. My sincerest condolences to her family, and Andrew.
September 22, 2021
Martina Sookbirsingh
Heather was a kind, warm hearted soul with a wonderfully mischievous sense of humour. Her compassion and generosity of spirit have touched many and she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
September 22, 2021
Ronni Rosenberg
Heather was a rock, a person of great wisdom, compassion and wit. It was a privilege knowing her.
September 21, 2021
Christine Franch
Sending all the love to everyone! She was a remarkable individual who touched many lives and just truly heartbroken over her loss ❤️
September 20, 2021
Connie Taylor
I am so sorry for your loss and sending healing thoughts your way. Heather was an amazing person -- She was always so kind, calm and compassionate. She saw the best in others and made a difference in so many lives. She will be missed by many. Take care.