Heather McKenzie Holmes

Requiem for my Heather Ms Heather McKenzie Holmes passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 2:00 am in Weeks Memorial Hospital. Heather's passing was peaceful. When it appeared that Heather was ready to go, I asked for her priest, Father Tim, to be called. He agreed to come, and while we waited for him, I received permission from the hospital staff to "pipe Heather out." Using the Google Music Service on my smartphone, I played two selections of bagpipe and drum music by the Scottish Royal Guard: "Scotland the Brave" and "Amazing Grace." When Heather heard the bagpipes begin to play, she opened her eyes and sat straight up in bed. As the last notes of Amazing Grace faded, Father Tim arrived, put on his vestments and began the service. When he finished, he placed the holy oil on her forehead and blessed her. Then, he leaned over, kissed her forehead and wished her well. I then kissed her one last time as he said "You know that you go loved by your husband and your God. She looked up at us, smiled, said "thank you." After Father Tim and Heather's nurse had left the room, Heather straightened her bed covers, closed her eyes, lay back on her pillow and went to sleep in the Lord. I called Heather's nurse back in, and he pronounced her gone. He called in his supervisor for confirmation and that was that. She lay there as if asleep, but I could tell she was no longer present. I picked up her hand and held it, but while it was still warm, the "tingle" that I used to feel whenever I held her hand was gone. Heather was my Everything. I never thought that I would ever find such a love - she and I were together 30 years! Heather went much too soon. We sometimes talked about how we each were family to each other. How we would cope if one of us suddenly was summoned to Heaven's throne. "But nay ye worry 'bout me," she said. "My people make old bones - my daddy lived into his nineties; my mum lived until she was 88. We'll have plenty of time together." I first realized that something was wrong when she suddenly developed congestive heart failure in August. How could that be? She was a vegetarian. She didn't drink, smoke or do drugs. What gave her this heart attack? That's what the doctors asked as well. The answer was "Cancer." And four months later she was dead! Heather was brave and courageous. And she passed with the grace and dignity befitting a Scottish Highlander of the MacKenzie Clan. She literally "wrapped the draperies of her couch about her and lay down to pleasant dreams." In addition to myself and her friends and neighbors here in Lancaster, NH, Heather will be missed by her large and loving extended family of choice across the USA. Dearest Heather, may God bless you and keep you in His Eternal Love and grant you swift passage to Paradise. Amen. -Richard

Heather McKenzie Holmes

September 18, 1939 - December 19, 2019