July 8, 1948 – October 12, 2025

The friends and family of Heather Poulin are sad to announce that Heather passed away on Sunday, October 12. Heather was in the care of the loving staff at Gemstone Care Centre. 

Heather is predeceased by her parents, Ruth and Ed Small, her brother Pat, and her partner of 26 years, Don Palmateer. She is survived by her son, Guy Poulin, and her good friend, Maureen Simpson. 

Heather took her secretarial training after high school and worked for a while before her first marriage. Guy was born a few years later, and Heather was then very busy with being a mother. 

After her marriage ended, Heather moved back to Kamloops and eventually met Don. He was a pilot car driver, and Heather often joined him on his travels all over the province. She had many fond memories of the places they visited on these trips. 

When Don died in 2007, Heather was heartbroken. He had been her great companion for so many years. She leaned on her parents for support, and they helped her to create a new life. 

Later on, Heather experienced some health problems, but she never gave up her desire to keep moving. Regular visitors who came to see her at Gemstone would be greeted with a quick response after their hello: “Let’s get out of here,” was Heather’s way of saying she wanted to go outside for a ride in her wheelchair and perhaps make a stop somewhere for coffee and doughnuts. 

Heather had a quick wit and would impress those who cared for her with her prompt, sometimes unexpected, responses to a story or a joke. She could let you know when she disagreed with what had been said or what was happening and was always willing to fall back on “I don’t want to talk about it” when the topic of conversation was not to her liking. She was spunky and will be missed. 

We wish to thank all of the excellent staff in the places where Heather lived in her last years: Pine Grove, Apple Lane, Overlander, Gemstone Care Centre, and Comfort Keepers. She was very lucky to have all of you loving and caring for her. 

A graveside ceremony will be held at Hillside Cemetery on Tuesday, October 21st, at 1:30 pm. 

You may offer a message of condolence at Schoening Funeral Service for the Poulin family. 

• Date : 2025-10-12
• Location : Kamloops