NEW GLASGOW – Karen Marie Heighton, 55, New Glasgow, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015 in the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit, New Glasgow, surrounded by her family. Born in New Glasgow, she was a daughter of Adrian and Hazel (MacKenzie) Heighton. Karen was an educator for 17 years and taught grades four through twelve in Fort McMurray, Alta. and Pictou County. She concurrently taught post-graduate courses and led in-services for teachers at the former Pictou District School Board and the Chignecto Central Regional School Board. Karen was a graduate of the former Nova Scotia Teachers College, Truro (AEP), St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish (B.Ed.) and St. Mary’s University, Halifax (M.Ed.). Many students deemed Karen a very influential part of their lives and her incredible wit made classes a joy for children and adults alike. Karen enjoyed all artistic forms and was a gifted visual artist. She was an avid scrapbooker and had participated in many scrapbooking conferences throughout the Atlantic Provinces. Karen was a voracious reader, enjoying all types of literature, preferring fiction, to which she created a cozy library space in her home to house her collection. She was a tireless traveller, having visited many countries and was at the time of her illness formulating plans to revisit her favourite places, especially, France and Italy. Karen was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Stellarton. She contributed generously to various causes and charities, particularly, her sponsor child through World Vision Canada. Karen possessed an immeasurable ability to love and spent her life developing meaningful relationships with all of her family members, especially her nieces and nephew. Surviving besides her parents are husband, Alan Sutherland; brother, Jimmy Heighton, Halifax; sister, Kim (Mike) Washburn, New Glasgow and their children, Laura, Brianne, Ryan and Erin; mother-in-law, Gloria Sutherland, Antigonish; brother-in-law, Danny Sutherland, Edmonton, Alta.; numerous aunts; an uncle; many cousins. Karen’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Gerry Farrell, Debbie Williams, RN and the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care team for the exceptional care Karen received. The outstanding professionalism and compassion demonstrated, combined with an extra measure of personal kindness, made Karen’s final journey peaceful for all. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2 p.m. Friday, August 14th in Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church with Father Gary MacPherson presiding. Following, a gathering and reception will be held in the parish hall. Family flowers only. Donations may be made in Karen’s memory to Canadian Cancer Society. (click on like to donate online) To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Karen Marie Heighton, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.