Heather Lorraine Dodd

Always gentle
Always kind
Very caring
A thoughtful mind

An abundance of love
For those around her
A husband & sons
Grandkids & daughters

We'll miss you Heather
And your shining light
Your quiet giggles
Keeping us bright

A loyal wife
A loving Mumma
A cherished friend
A doting Nanna

We will miss you so
Forever & beyond
Sleep peacefully our angel
Your love lives on

Those words, written by Patricia Dodd in honour of her mother-in-law Heather Lorraine Dodd provide an insight into the sort of woman Heather was.

Born at Brighton Community Hospital on March, 24, 1942, Heather was the eldest child of Jean and Russell Hamilton. Her younger brother John came along a little later.

From those early days, Heather has embraced all that life had to give. She married her sweetheart John Dodd and they had three children of their own, David, Jason and Craig.

Heather and John worked hard to build the family business, providing valuable service to their community over many years.

While Heather did spend time working in the business, she is best remembered by her family as a selfless mother who was a wonderful cook and enjoyed nothing more than a romantic movie and a quiet giggle with her family and friends.

Heather was also a keen tennis and netball player and an avid traveller. Together with the family, or as a couple, there were holidays to Hawaii and the Gold Coast, and cruises to Japan, Sydney, New Zealand and Tasmania on the Cunard Liners.

As her boys grew, the family could be found water skiing at Glenmaggie Weir, camping at Licola, or at Rye Back Beach, where Heather would nervously watch as the boys leapt into rockpools from great heights.

As time went on, the boys started families of their own and Heather welcomed them all with open arms, daughters-in-law Michelle, Patricia and Thao, and grandchildren.

When it comes to the grandchildren, the boys said it was pure love.

"Heather cherished her five grandchildren. She baby-sat them regularly and always wanted to spend time with them. She was thoughtful and generous with all their birthdays and special occasions and school events."

Heather sadly passed away on November 21 after a six-year battle with dementia. She spent her final days at The Alexander in Clayton and was remembered by family and friends at a ceremony at Le Pine Funerals before being interred at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.