Heather Makechnie, 66, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 7, 2016.
Born on March 31, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Alice and Dan Fogg. Sister of Leslie Kellenbeck, Sherwood Fogg, and Sonia Fogg. Beloved wife of Arthur Makechnie. Devoted mother of six sons: Steven and spouse Tiffany, Seth and spouse Vincent, Gregor and spouse Amy, Brendaen and spouse Jill, Glenn and spouse Kim, and Ian Makechnie. Adoring grandmother of 17 grandchildren: Rayana, Alana, Johnny, Jessica, Roman, Cope, Nelson, Brynne, Paige, Hailey, Chloe, Ella, Grace, Tate, Finn, Kenna, and Taryn.
A life-long learner, Heather returned to college after raising her sons and graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester in 2005.
The Best EMT She Could Be
John Kinney, Andover EMS Chief
Heather Makechnie threw herself into being an EMT wholeheartedly. I never asked her what prompted her to pursue that particular endeavor, but whatever the catalyst was, it drove her to be the best EMT she could possibly be. Perhaps that was just her nature and was how she tackled everything worth doing.
There were countless 911 calls we went on together in the eight years she was an EMT. After almost every call, Heather would break out the New Hampshire EMS Protocols manual we have in the ambulance and use it to review what we did to see if we missed anything or if we could or should have done anything differently. Every opportunity to learn was clearly an honored behavior for Heather.
The outcome for many of our 911 calls were happy, others quite tragic, and some just plain benign. Regardless of the nature or the outcome of a call, foremost for Heather was the compassion she brought to the care we render. It has been an honor to know and work with Heather Makechnie, and her contributions will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
People Who Build Community
Posted by Scott Allenby on the Proctor Academy Web site
It is through examples like Heather that we are reminded that community doesn’t simply ‘happen’; not in a neighborhood, not in a school, and certainly not in a town. Instead, community is built through hard work, commitment, and selfless service of its members. We each have a responsibility to steward the communities in which we live and work, and as we mourn with the Makechnie family, we challenge ourselves to follow Heather’s example of service and commit to making our community as strong as it can be.
Concerned About Others
Ellie and Howard George, Andover Lions Club
Heather was an associate member of the Andover Lions Club and was always ready to serve. She did a wonderful job shopping for the Andover Food Pantry that the Lions sponsors. Every two weeks she would go to Franklin, Tilton, and Concord to get everything the Pantry needed at the best prices possible. She was always very concerned about others.
Passion for Helping People
Charlie Darling, The Andover Beacon
I was very privileged to work with Heather on a number of projects in the community. Her energy and passion for helping people was always an inspiration, and wonderfully contagious. But more than anything, I’ll always remember how her smile could light up any room and any situation. She is already very missed!
A Community Connector
Tina Cotton, Andover Cable TV
One of Heather’s roles in the early days of Andover’s public access TV station was videotaping and producing weekly TV programs of local events. Heather tried very hard to get the various organizations, schools, and Town boards to record happenings they were involved in. She even donated a camcorder to the Andover Elementary/Middle School and publicized that the station had a camcorder for borrowing. She also managed to find a variety of other interesting programs available on videotape … something for everyone. Her passion for video spilled over into her renewed college education by taking courses in video production. Today, Andover’s TV station carries on with her vision as a community connector.
Fueled by the conviction that community would crumble without volunteerism, she enthusiastically committed years of service to the American Red Cross, Andover Emergency Medical Services, Franklin Area Lions Club, Community Emergency Response Team, Central New Hampshire Medical Reserve Corps, Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry, as a reader at Woodcrest Village, and to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Primary President, Visiting Teacher, Compassionate Service Coordinator, and Activity Girls Leader.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 11, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 90 Clinton Street in Concord. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry, 237 Central Street, Franklin NH 03235.
Any interested are encouraged to share stories, memories, photos, videos, music, or condolences at ForeverMissed.com/