After a long and hard battle with cancer, Heather was called home on April 23, 2016. She leaves behind a loving husband, Douglas Howard; mother Bonita Wutzke; step-mother Paula Lingenfelter; father- and mother-in-law Erddie and Tarawanda Howard; sisters, Heidi Lingenfelter and Kandi Lynne; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jon and May Howard and Steven and Tanya Howard; step-son Mason Howard; nieces, Rusche Lingenfelter, Whitney Howell, Charlie Lovel, Tianna Howard, Alana Howard and Angella Howard; and nephews, Tim Howell, Austin Davis and Devon Howard; as well as many close family and friends.

Heather met Doug in 1996 and they were married Oct. 11, 1998. They traveled all over the country due to Doug’s career with the U.S. Navy. This included San Antonio, Texas; Pensacola, Fla.; Whidbey Island; and Oxnard, Calif.; however, they spent get majority of his career in San Diego. Each place was filled with new experiences and great people that became lifelong friends, filled with wonderful memories.

Heather graduated from Lake Washington Senior High School in 1991. She completed her bachelor’s from American Intercontinental University with a degree in communications in 2005, graduating cum laude. She held several interesting careers as they traveled throughout the country including banking, non-profit, college, project management, event planning, trade shows and Thought Field Therapy, as well as following her passion as a writer. Her dream was to become a published author and live in a beautiful home with her husband on the water in Anacortes. They were working diligently towards that goal when she was diagnosed in 2013 with breast cancer.

The family would like to recognize the dedicated and diligent work of the doctors and nurses at the PeaceHealth Cancer Center in Bellingham, especially Dr. Rubin, as well as the doctors in Thousands Oaks, Calif., Dr. Masterson and Dr. Hesselgesser. On top of that, Heather would like to personally thank all of the beautiful souls that contributed love, laughter, joy and support in her life. She will be truly missed by all.

Heather wanted to be remembered as she was before her battle with cancer. Her family requests that photos shared on the memorial website be selected with care and her wish in mind.