Heather Makechnie, 66, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family Tuesday, 7 June 2016.
Born 31 March 1950, she was the daughter of the late Alice and Dan Fogg. Sister of Leslie Kellenbeck, Mark Fogg, Sherwood Fogg and Sonia Fogg. Beloved wife of Arthur Makechnie. Devoted mother of six sons: Steven and spouse Tiffany, Seth and spouse Vincent, Gregor and spouse Amy, Brendaen and spouse Jill, Glenn and spouse Kim, and Ian Makechnie. Adoring grandmother of 17 grandchildren: Rayana, Alana, Johnny, Jessica, Roman, Cope, Nelson, Brynne, Paige, Hailey, Chloe, Ella, Grace, Tate, Finn, Kenna and Taryn.
A life-long learner, Heather returned to college after raising her sons, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester in 2005.
Fueled by conviction that community would crumble without volunteerism, she enthusiastically committed years of service to: the American Red Cross, Andover Emergency Medical Services Franklin Area Lions Club, Community Emergency Response Team, Central New Hampshire Medical Reserve Corps, Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry, as a reader at Woodcrest Village and to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Primary President, Visiting Teacher, Compassionate Service Coordinator and Activity Girls Leader.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, 11 June at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 90 Clinton Street, Concord, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Twin Rivers Food Pantry, 237 Central Street, Franklin, NH 03235.
Tributes
Leave a tributePatrick, Petrea, Isabelle, and Gavin Rae
We love your family and are grateful for your friendship.
Love, the Gentiles
Much Love...
Jim and Lynn Cox
She told me she loved the motto I would stand by with the young women including her beautiful grand daughter Cope: "Always keep your standards as high as your heels".
Acceptance sometimes is all a person needs in this world. Thank you Heather. You will be so completely missed... Godspeed as the Lord has a special place at his right hand for you. See you soon!
Love, Jessica Aughenbaugh
The Southworths
My condolences to her family. Joan Wood
Sandra Waine
Leave a Tribute
8 Years as an EMT
Heather threw herself into being an EMT whole-heartedly. I never asked her what prompted her to pursue that particular endeavor, but whatever the catalyst was it drove her to be the best EMT she could possibly be. Perhaps that was just her nature and was how she tackled everything worth doing. There were countless 911 calls we went on together in the eight years she was an EMT. After almost every call Heather would break out the NH EMS Protocols manual we have in the ambulance and used it to review what we did, if we missed anything, or if we could/should have done anything differently. Every opportunity to learn was clearly an honored behavior for Heather. The outcome for many of our 911 calls were happy, others quite tragic, and some just plain benign. Regardless of the nature or the outcome of a call, foremost for Heather was the compassion she brought to the care we render. I can be rather blunt and sometimes rote in my procedures, but for Heather the compassion to our patient was never to be overlooked. One particular call comes to mind and without getting specific for fear of a HIPAA violation, we had a patient with a medical condition that in all honesty made her in fear for her life. While en route to the hospital and after all our treatments and documentation were completed the patient asked Heather to pray for her. I don't think Heather knew the patient personally, nor was she aware of the patient's faith, but without hesitation Heather held the patient's hand and offered a prayer on her behalf. I'm not a religious person and thankfully Heather never held that against me, but the peace of mind that simple gesture brought to our patient was priceless. It has been an honor to know and work with Heather Makechnie, so to honor her spirit I will strive to do the best work I can, always try to make the most of every opportunity to learn, and never forget to be as compassionate as circumstances permit.