Irene Marie Heather

Irene Marie Heather, 82, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Monday night, September 16, 2024 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

She was born on February 11, 1942 in Chicago, IL, the oldest daughter of Edward Leon Notz and Veronica Elizabeth (Maloney) Notz. Irene was raised Catholic and graduated from Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago with the class of 1960. She went on to study at Marycrest College in Davenport, IA where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1964. 

She met David Doyle Heather through a mutual friend in February of 1965 on a blind date. They were married on August 14, 1965, and together they raised five children in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Irene spent her career in education, first as a physical education teacher and then as a special education teacher. She earned her Master’s in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater later on in her career. Irene started teaching at United Township High School in East Moline, IL (1.5 years); Madison West High School (0.5 year); Wisconsin Heights High School in Mazomanie, WI (1 year); and St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Davenport, IA (5-6 years). In 1986, she and her family moved to Monticello, WI. Irene taught special education at Kewaskum High School from 1989 until 1995 when her family moved to Sturgeon Bay and she taught special education at Kewaunee High School (2 years). She finished her teaching career at Cudahy High School, initially starting out as a special education teacher and then as a physical education teacher until her retirement in 2011.

Irene also coached swimming and gymnastics. After she retired, she worked as a lifeguard at the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay. The highlight of several of Irene's summers was participating in the Door County Triathlon as a lifeguard.

She loved her family fiercely and was always trying to take their pictures. Irene was very proud of her Irish heritage and was always willing to teach the Irish jig. She even marched in the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Davenport, IA, and Madison, WI in full leprechaun costume.

Irene loved art and plants. She had an eye for drawing and for landscaping. Irene took up welding in her retirement years and could be found scavenging the local thrift shops for old silverware or dishes she could turn into garden sculptures. She was skilled in calligraphy and would often create special foldable art of the letters in various family members’ names, that would unfold into the shape of a Christmas tree. Irene especially enjoyed tending to her gardens but would usually break for Chicago Bears football games.

Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, David, with whom she shared over 59 years of marriage; children, Amy (Gary) Campbell of Jackson, WI, Mark (Christine Eagles-Anderson) Heather of Beloit, WI, Erin (Mark) Weber of Portage, WI, and Matthew Heather of Milwaukee; son-in-law, Andrew (Caitlin) Jester of Durham, NC; granddaughters, Allison and Heather Campbell and Ava and Hazel Weber; siblings, Margaret “Babe” (Thomas) Wilson of Elgin, IL, Patricia (Oscar) Garza if Monterrey, Mexico, and Elizabeth “Betsy” (Frank) Roese of Baltimore, MD; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Veronica Notz; parents-in-law, Doyle and Gladys (nee Young) Heather; daughter, Heather Jester; brother, Edward Notz; and other relatives.

Her life will be honored with a memorial service held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Dcn. Mark Bortle officiating. Irene will be laid to rest in the columbarium at Bayside Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol.

Her family will greet relatives and friends at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial contributions may be given in Irene’s name for the Special Olympics of Wisconsin (6582 Ronald Reagan Avenue, Madison, WI 53704; SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org); the Door County YMCA (1900 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; DoorCountyYMCA.org); or "The Garden Door" of the Door County Master Gardeners (MAIL TO: 10490 S. Appleport Lane, Sister Bay, WI 54234).

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Irene may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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