of Germantown, TN

October 27, 1972 - December 19, 2018

Donohue, Heather

With terrible sadness, the family of Heather Eileen Donohue announces her passing on December 19, 2018 at the age of 46 years. A dedicated wife, mother, daughter, sister, and life saver, she died after a long, victorious fight to stave off terminal cancer.

After learning she had End Stage Breast Cancer in July 2015, Heather beat the disease every excruciating morning for nearly 4 years, waking each day with a renewed will to fight-long enough to save just one more life, to make just one more difference. She was a relentless, benevolent force, and her impact has helped shape the lives of all who knew her well and so many others whose paths she crossed.

Born in Great Falls, MT, Heather graduated high school before serving proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps. While she would point out that the struggle to overcome addiction never ends, she successfully embraced sobriety in 2000. Two years later, she began a career in medicine-a path she believed God had lit so she could give her life to others. She began her calling as an EMT before earning her paramedic's license, her associate's and bachelor's degrees in nursing, and eventually achieving her ultimate goal of flying as a nurse for Hospital Wing. The Emergency Nurses Association, Memphis Chapter honored her as the 2016 Emergency Nurse of the Year.

Heather supported many nonprofits, including volunteering time in recent years with Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association's (MIFA) Meals on Wheels Program, Street Dog Rescue, Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She also invested time with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, where she served as a Hear My Voice Community Outreach Volunteer. Finally, she founded the Memphis chapter of the METAvivors peer support group.

Heather will forever remain in the hearts of her wife Rebekah, children, Christina and Jacob, and grandchild, Luna Marie; her mother, four older sisters, little brother, and extended family; her second family at Hospital Wing and other medical facilities she served; and countless friends.

A funeral service for Heather will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 5217 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Attending EMS personnel are encouraged to wear their uniforms in honor of Heather's dedication to saving others.

The family asks that any memorial donations in Heather's honor be made to either Living Beyond Breast Cancer (lbbc.org) or SOAR Doggy Rescue (soardoggyrescue.org).

Obituary Provided By:
Closed - Contact Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, TN  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com