Heather Thayer Myers

January 25, 1949, to May 19, 2024

Oh and let me tell you that I love you

And I think about you all the time

Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home

Heather T. Myers (née Thayer), beloved wife, mother, "Nanny" and friend, passed away on the morning of May 19, 2024, at the Bel-Aire Center in Newport, VT. Though now gone, Heather built a legacy of strength and unconditional love that continues to guide and nourish those she left behind.

Born to George Thayer and his wife Susan (née Mitchell) in Fitch Bay, Quebec, Heather moved to Newport in her early teens, graduating from Newport High School in 1967.  It was there that she met, and later married, the love of her life David R. Myers. Apart from a few years spent in Lancaster PA as David attended trade school, Heather and David spent the next 57 years together building a home and raising a family in Newport.

Though family was ever first and foremost in Heather's life, she shared her deep caring and empathy with her community as a 911 dispatcher for, first, the City of Newport and then for 25 years, the Vermont State Police barracks in Derby. Her calming voice and precise directions helped countless thousands navigate through difficult times and tragic moments. Recognizing the toll that this work took on others, once her children were grown, she insisted on taking the shifts of co-workers so that they could spend those precious holiday moments with their families.

Holidays were most assuredly Heather's favorite times of the year. Each holiday was a full-on production. To Heather, holidays became the chance to bring her entire family home. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she would spend many weeks leading up to it filling her home with baked goods.  The variety was often so great that everyone could have their favorite treat with plenty of variety to spare.

For a great many years, a new holiday was born whereby her mother Susan's brother John Mitchell, and his wife Mae (née Flemming) would travel across the Atlantic from their home in Blackburn, Scotland to visit for a few weeks every summer. This semi-annual reunion was especially important to Heather as it brought together her own family while reinforcing her familial ties to Scotland.

Heather was an avid square dancer and traveler. She and David spent many years dancing with the North Country Swingers square dancing club. She also loved to travel and enjoyed traveling by cruise ship in particular. Some of her favorite trips were spent in the company of her children and grandchildren visiting exotic islands. Many weekends would see she and David fishing the waters of Lake Memphremagog or trolling the waters of other lakes around the Northeast Kingdom.

Throughout her life, Heather battled numerous health complications.  Her indominable Caledonian spirit allowed her to fight through, buoyed by the love of her family and resolute that she would enjoy all that life had to give her. Hers was a fighting spirit rooted in the knowledge that she was the bedrock of her family. As matriarch of her clan, she dispensed wisdom, aid, and kindness in equal measure. Hers was an all-encompassing love that never failed to touch anyone she brought under her wing. Within her circle it was impossible not to feel safe, protected and loved.

Heather was predeceased by her mother Susan and father George, her younger brother Charles and her beloved aunt and uncle Mae and John.

She is survived by her husband David R. of Newport, her children David C. and his wife Casey (née Rodondi) of Island Pond, Rae and her husband Randy Lewis of Elizabethtown, PA, Matthew and his wife Heidi (née Perkins) of Orleans and Bethany and her husband Richard Creaser of Derby Line and her sisters Helen Robillard and her husband Denis of Derby Line and Kate (Kathy) Harty and her companion Vickie Grubb of Springfield, VT and her God Daughter Lindsey Harty  of Weston, and Susan, beloved wife of her brother Charles, of Newport.  She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Meghan and her husband Patrick Dubberly of Franklin, KY, David C. Jr. of Island Pond, Alexis, Brandon and Sydney of Elizabethtown, PA and Nolan and Thayer of Orleans. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren in Jackson and Silas of Franklin, KY.

Per Heather's request, the family is hosting a Celebration of Life in her honor on Friday, May 31 at the Elks Club in Derby VT from 2 pm to 6 pm. It was her wish that the family and friends she loved could gather once more, in her name, and remember the life she lived and the love she shared. Family and friends are invited to visit at their leisure and may arrive or depart according to their personal wishes. This event will feature a Vermont State Police Honor Guard and local Bag Piper Bev Mackie Davis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Heather's name to Newport Parks & Recreation, Vermont Food Bank, or the NHSCOT Fund. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.