Heather S. Milne, affectionately known as “Heady” to family and friends, had a way of making life feel both fuller and lighter for everyone around her. She moved through life with kindness, humor, and endless curiosity. Heather treasured both awe-inspiring adventure as well as the simple, little moments — whether that meant exploring a new national park, wandering through bookstores and coffee shops, gathering with friends over tacos and margaritas, or spending a peaceful weekend at home – she found joy wherever she was.
On May 17th, after a courageous 4-month battle with ovarian cancer, Heather passed away surrounded by the love of family and friends. She leaves behind countless memories, stories, inside jokes, and people who love her deeply.
Born on February 28, 1985 to William and Victoria Milne, Heather grew up with the sharp wit, independence, and compassion that would become her trademark throughout life. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Hayley (Chris) Hatfield, aunts, and cousins. She also leaves behind an incredible circle of friends who became family over the years — the people she laughed with, traveled with, celebrated with, and showed up for time and time again.
Heather loved traveling and creating memories with the people she cared about most. One of her favorite international trips was to Scotland, with her most recent adventure to Italy last November. She also treasured trips exploring National Parks like the Grand Canyon and Zion, along with visits to Seattle, Portland, Bar Harbor, San Diego, and many more places she was excited to continue exploring.
As much as Heather loved adventure, she found great joy in creating a warm and peaceful home. Her home was filled with thriving plants, stacks of books, fresh sourdough, and the kind of comfort that made people want to stay awhile. Quiet weekends spent reading, working on puzzles, snuggling her cats, and enjoying a delicious cup of coffee were some of her favorite simple pleasures.
In the warmer months, you could often catch her on the North Coast Inland trail or Slippery Elm trail, riding her bike she nicknamed “Sapphire”.
Heather was a lifelong learner who loved diving deeply into the things that fascinated her. When she and her sister decided to learn how to make sourdough, it quickly became far more than a hobby — the two spent months sharing weekend creations, comparing notes, and enthusiastically deep diving into the science behind the perfect crust, texture, and shape of each loaf. In recent years, she immersed herself in the world of coffee — reading books, experimenting with brewing methods, and sampling beans from around the world. When she discovered linocut artwork, she followed artists, collected inspiration, and took a class to learn the craft herself. Her creativity showed up in everything she touched, especially in her home. She loved gathering inspiration, researching ideas, and working side-by-side with her carpenter father on projects, never afraid to learn new skills or dive into the work herself.
She was effortlessly smart. Heather graduated from Woodmore High School in 2003 before continuing her education at Bowling Green State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, then furthered her education with a Master of Education in Instructional Design. She dedicated nearly 15 years of her career to BGSU, most recently serving as a Degree Audit Analyst, with a planned promotion to Assistant Registrar this Fall. She was dedicated, dependable, and steadfast in her work, just as she was as a daughter, sister, and friend.
Heather fought hard. She approached cancer the same way she approached life — stubbornly, courageously, and entirely on her own terms. Even through fear, pain, and uncertainty, she continued finding reasons to laugh, connect with people she loved, and make memories whenever she could.
Heather also shared a special bond with her beloved cats — Moose, Goose, and most recently Mr. Barnubus Tuxedo. Her kitties brought her endless comfort, companionship, and joy throughout her life.
More than anything, Heather made people feel comfortable being themselves. Though she ruthlessly (and hilariously) teased the people she loved most, you always knew she meant it affectionately. She had a calming presence, a thoughtful and kind heart, and a way of making people feel accepted and understood.
Heather’s absence leaves an unimaginable void, but her legacy lives on forever. It lives on in every shared laugh between friends, every peaceful morning coffee, every chapter in a good book, every Taco Tuesday, every travel adventure, and every reminder to slow down and “live a good, good life.”
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St. An additional visitation period will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Heather’s funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held following the service at Cocina De Carlos in Waterville, Ohio, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Interment will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Harris-Elmore Union Cemetery in Elmore, Ohio.
Memorial donations may be made in Heather’s honor to: For the Love of Cats, PO Box 500, Bowling Green, OH 43402; OR to the family to use towards a memorial on the North Coast Inland bike trail – please make checks to either William or Victoria Milne with a note “bike trail.”
