Heather MacLean
March 15, 1961 – October 18, 2025
The well-known sentiment, “And just like that, the world is a little less bright,” fits perfectly. Heather MacLean passed away peacefully at Dryden District Hospital on October 18, 2025. She was surrounded by her family and a never-ending (truly never ending) stream of friends in her final hours.
She is survived by her daughter Brett Thiel (Blake Ceraldi), grand-daughter Finley Heinrich-Thiel, former husband and friend Chris Thiel. She also leaves behind sisters Wendy Peck and Debbie MacLean, nieces Shawnda Peck, Danille Peck, Paige Dufresne and nephew Brian Peck. The number of friends who were close enough for family status is too long to list. Heather was predeceased by her daughter Jordan Thiel (Derek Schroeder), mother Isabel MacLean and father John James (Jack) MacLean.
Heather was born in Nova Scotia, and though she was an infant when the family moved to the Dryden area, she always had a special love for Canada’s east coast. If she hadn’t just returned from a trip to the coast, she was planning another. She went west just as easily, hopping in the car for a solo run to Kelowna for some “Meemaw” time with Finley.
You can’t remember Heather without including animals. From her great love, horse Queenie in her youth, to countless dogs and cats, goats, cows, sheep … anything with four legs. She loved them all and they loved her. Pet hair was her most consistent fashion statement.
Heather was incapable of moderation with holiday decorating. Thinking up scenes and bossing family members around to create the themed displays was a constant feature of family holidays. Residents of Elizabeth Avenue were treated to a yard-wide panorama several times a year.
Friends came into Heather’s life and never left. She was still in regular contact with people from her childhood, high school, anywhere she worked. Friends of Brett and Jordi were often in contact, some even calling her mom. Heather was loyal and unpredictable, kind and stubborn, always ready with a laugh. She charmed us all.
“She generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it).” Alice in Wonderland.
Oh, how we will miss her.
As per Heather’s wishes cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Canada Network, 12001 44 St. SE., Calgary, AB T2Z 4G9 or through Aurora Funeral Services, 304 Kennedy Road, Dryden, ON.
Condolences and memories may be posted at www.aurorafuneralservices.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Aurora Funeral Services, 304 Kennedy Road, Dryden, ON P8N 3G2
