Heather Lea Henderson

Heather Lea Henderson was born in Fresno on March 2, 1971 to Clifford Dale Henderson and Darlene Rhymes Henderson. She went to Fresno High School, graduating with honors in 1989. After high school she and her friend Morgan made a tour of the British Isles, which she joyously reflected back on for the rest of her life.

She entered the University of California Santa Barbara in the fall of 1989, and began studying anthropology. She was especially interested in Native American studies. She transferred to UCSC in 1991, and eventually graduated with her B.S. from Porter College.

Heather loved the Grateful Dead, and in 1991 at a Long Beach show, she met Harry, who promptly fell in love with her. They both moved to Santa Cruz to attend UCSC the following year, and thus began the era of Heather and Harry. She finished her B.S. in anthropology at UCSC in the fall of '93, and by November, they were married at a beautiful celebration at the Quaker Center in Ben Lomond. Since then, they've lived in Ben Lomond until today.

Heather would put her whole self into work, or projects. She worked in Santa Cruz at a local educational stamp company, Fearless Designs, which was great fun. After that she worked many years at The Children's Center of SLV, in Highland Park, ultimately serving as the Office Manager and was a member of the Board for several years. She was also a trained doula, and worked with several mothers-to-be during their pregnancies and births.

Heather was involved with the Rotary Club Of SLV since 2007, serving as President from 2013 to 2014. She loved Rotary, and valued meeting so many of her friends through her involvement. She also put in lots of her organizing and leadership skills in helping with Felton events, such as the Memorial Day Parade, Team Santa at the Felton Firehouse, and most recently The Race Thru The Redwoods.

Heather and Harry have two sons, Wiley (b. 1998) and Skylar (b. 2001). In 2008, she and Harry became Cub Scout Den Leaders in Pack 654 for Skylar's den, and served in Scouting from 2008 to 2013. Harry says Heather was the vital force of the den and in keeping 12 young cubs going in the same direction at any given time! Out of those 12 cubs, 3 went on and achieved their rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 604, which she was so proud of.

The last few years Heather has commuted back and forth between Fresno and Ben Lomond in order to care for her father and uncle, and to help tend to the affairs of her father's home, after her father moved into a Fresno-area assisted living care center.

She passed away unexpectedly on September 20, after a brief illness, at the age of 51. She is survived by her husband, Harry Berggren, her sons Wiley Berggren and Skylar Berggren, her father Cliff Henderson of Fresno, uncle Ray Henderson of Fresno, uncle Darrell Henderson (wife, Jeri) of Prescott AZ.

Heather was preceded in death by her step brother Wayne Mulholland, and her mother Darlene Henderson (d. 2018).

Anyone wishing to send a memorial donation in remembrance of Heather are invited to send a gift to either:

1) The Rotary Foundation (rotary.org)

2) The Mountain Parks Foundation (www.mountainparks.org/donate)

3) The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/involved/donate/memorial-giving.html)

More than the various projects Heather put herself into, she's remembered mostly by those who knew her as a great friend, a lively conversationalist, a sharp mind, and a caring heart. She will be deeply and sorely missed by her family and many many friends. Rest In Peace Heather.

"Fare Thee Well, Fare Thee Well, we love you more than words can tell."

Published in Press Banner · October 5, 2022