August 14, 1936 - December 5, 2021
It is with deep sadness that the family of Allen Heighton announce his passing in Nelson, BC, on December 5, 2021, at the age of 85. Allen was born in Nelson to Dimock and Johanna (Swanson) Heighton on August 14, 1936, the youngest of 6 children.
Allen lived his entire life in the Nelson area. He liked to tell the story of his mother arriving via train from her childhood home in Saskatchewan, how she fell in love with the city and vowed never to return to the prairies. Allen was raised in a house on Morgan Street and enjoyed childhood, tobogganing from mountain station to the lake, fishing at hall siding and skating, which he excelled at but quit when his parents refused his wish to play hockey. One time a friend lit the Gyro Pool on fire but we're pretty sure Allen had nothing to do with that.
Allen graduated from high school in 1954. Sadly, in 1957, his father passed away leaving him and his siblings to help their mother until her passing in 1988. Allen went on to take grade 13 and worked at the Nelson Ready Mix before leaving to work as an accountant for Walter Kitto. He was performing an onsite audit when he met Henny who had arrived from Germany with her two children two years prior. She was to become the love of his life and they married on February 1, 1968, in Couer D'Alene Idaho. They purchased a beautiful home on the north shore of Kootenay Lake at Longbeach. In 1970 Allen went to summer school and changed careers. He joined Selkirk College as an Office Admin Instructor until his retirement in 1992. For years afterward, students would stop him on the street to tell him how much they enjoyed having him as a teacher.
Allen and Henny spent many happy years on the lake. They went boating and fishing, hiking and crosscountry skiing. Henny was a joyous soul and filled the home with love, laughter, singing and delicious food. Together, they entertained friends and family and their children and grandchildren would visit every summer. Allen enjoyed woodworking and would spent hours in his shop. In 2005, Henny was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and Allen became a care giver. He looked after Henny, bought groceries and necessities for his sister Joan and Henny's tante Maria who lived to 106! He was a kind and caring man. Henny's illness was later upgraded to PSP and she passed away on February 15, 2011.
In his widowed years, Allen moved into an apartment in Nelson back onto Morgan Street where he'd lived as a child. He enjoyed walking the lakeshore, driving to Balfour for church, to Procter for haircuts or to Salmo to visit his daughter. He kept his mind sharp doing Mensa Level IV Sudoko's He loved to read, watch English comedies and partake in occasional shots of scotch. Allen golfed most Mondays until this past summer due to the extreme heat wave. He was very generous and donated to charities, summer camps and Christmas hampers. He had a good sense of humour and loved to tell stories. Tragedy again entered Allen's life in October of 2021 when his son Ralph passed away unexpectedly. Allen will always be lovingly remembered and greatly missed. He was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Allen was predeceased by his wife Henny, son Ralph, parents Dimock and Johanna, brothers Stanley, George, Clarence, and Donald (in childhood), and sisters in law Edna and Ethel
Allen is survived by his daughter Elke (Paul), grandchildren Danny, Justin, Nigel, Jessica, Jennnifer (Nick), Ryan, David, Cassandra, Misha (Adam), Gordon (Shandi), Trinity, Eric and Thomas, 16 great grandchildren, sister Joan, daughter-in-law Carmen, nieces Sheila (Dan), Barb (Tyler) and Lori (Ken) and many cousins.
At Al's request, there will be no service.
For those wishing to leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit https://www.thompsonfs.ca/obituary/allen-heighton/
Thompson Funeral Service