Obituaries

 

Heather Janice (Jan) Rutledge

Passed 10/18/2020

Text:

Obituary For Heather Janice (Jan) Rutledge

The family of Heather Janice (Jan) Rutledge is sad to announce her death on October 18, 2020. She was 73 years of age. Heather was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia. She grew up in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia but lived most of her adult life in Halifax. She fought many battles over the years with complicated health issues. Nonetheless, she still had a zest for life and her spirited nature was well known to her family and many friends. No one was a stranger. Her lively spirit and unique sense of humour was loved by many.

Heather had a long career as a hair stylist. She was a colour and corrective technician with Jhirmack Educational Division travelling extensively. She was an independent stylist with various salons, as well as, owning her own salon in Lower Sackville for a number of years. Many of her clients over the years became dear friends. Her clients were everything to her and she so valued and appreciated their years of loyality and friendship.

She is survived by her daughter Mimi (Todd) Murray; son Chico (Amanda) Francis, four grandchildren; brother Greg (Donna) Rutledge; sister Leanne (Charles) Burchell; nephew Tyler (Kim) Rutledge; niece Tara Rutledge. Two great nephews, Jackson and Gabe. She was predecessed by her parents Eric and Harriet Rutledge (Stockley).

Sadly, due to the Covid-19 restrictions and for the safety of those who loved her, a celebration of life will not be held. A private internment will be held at a future date.

Donations can be made to Diabetes Canada, Nova Scotia Division, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, the QEII Foundation or any charity of your choice.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • 10/23/2021

    Tara,Tyler and Family I just saw this today. Belatedly, I am so very sorry for your loss my heart goes out to you and your family. Such a tragedy to lose someone you dearly love. Blessings. Lori MacMichael

  • 11/09/2020

    I will miss you dearly my good sister friend. So many laughs and good conversations. You a one of the good ones , gone all to soon . Love you for eternity sis ! Xxx

  • 11/07/2020

    I was saddened to read of Jan's passing and send my sincere condolences to her family. As I read the many memories I can relate to all of them. I was referred to Jan by a friend who always had the best hair cuts, I always enjoyed going for her special hair cuts, she was truly a warm and kind woman. Yes, her smile was always there and she was so very thoughtful and kind. So sorry she was taken too soon. Rest in peace Jan,

  • 10/31/2020

    My heartfelt condolences to the family for the passing of Heather Rutledge. I met Heather through another hairstylist who was a client of mine through my income tax business back in around 1995. She was a wonderful fun loving person and always with a nice smile that was contagious. She was always nicely dressed and I remember asking where she shopped as I loved the look and soon I was shopping at the same place. To the family - Know that Heather (Jan) is not suffering anymore and that you will always have the wonderful memories to cherish and comfort you to get through the difficult days ahead. May the sorrow that you feel in your hearts lighten by the love that surrounds all during this difficult time. God's love and many prayers are all around you - now and for as long as it takes. Love Sharon MacDonald

  • 10/27/2020

    Heather's family: I was very sorry to learn of Heather's passing, although I was younger than Heather growing up in Sheet Harbour I remember how pretty she was. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad and difficult time. Kind Regards: Charlie A Verge

  • 10/27/2020

    RIP Dear sweet Jann. You were one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met in my life. I will greatly miss your hugs and your smiling face

  • 10/27/2020

    I will miss Jan...I have been seeing her regularly for years!! We settled all the world's problems and had many good laughs. I admired her ability to keep a positive attitude when her health was often an issue. She made the best date squares and gave the best hugs!! Verna

  • 10/26/2020

    My condolences and thoughts go out to family and friends.Jann has been my friend and hair stylist for the past 40 years. She will be dearly missed .Haircuts will never be the same.

  • 10/24/2020

    It's impossible to describe Jan. Can't think of a desirable quality she didn't have. Many of them have been described so well by clients/friends in their memories. Always there for you. Rest In Peace.

  • 10/24/2020

    I was referred to Jan by a mutual friend, and it wasn't long before we bonded over hair colour, her wonderful baked goods and lots and lots of laughter. She faced her health challenges with incredible bravery and taught me the true meaning of perseverance. Rest in peace Jan.

  • 10/24/2020

    Greg and Leanne, So sorry to hear of Heather's passing. I remember her of our growing up in Sheet Harbour. She was always very kind and considerate. May the Lord give you comfort during your time of loss and in the days and weeks ahead. Rest In Peace Heather! Bobbie Murphy

  • 10/24/2020

    Jan was my hair stylist, and my husband's hair stylist, but much more than that, she was a special friend. My husband and I continued to visit Jan for hair care even after we moved to New Brunswick 10 years ago. Jan was an inspiration to me. Despite her considerable personal difficulties, Jan never complained, she was always happy to see us, upbeat, welcoming and fun loving. We shared many laughs on those visits. I feel blessed to have had Jan in my life for almost 20 years. My husband and I will miss her.

  • 10/23/2020

    So sorry to learn of Jan's passing. I had known her for many years as my hair stylist and friend. She was a wonderful person, fun, caring..we shared many laughs together over the years. Even though she had a lot of health issues ,she remained positive and never lost her zest for life. RIP Jan

  • 10/23/2020

    Jan starting doing my hair 32 years ago.We became friends quickly.We shared so many laughs and stories over the years.I always looked forward to her laugh and smile. I was sadden when I called for an apt this summer only to find her in the hospital after her last foot surgery.She was so positive. Due to COVID, I was sad I couldn't see her one more time but I did speak to her 2 days before she passed.My condolences to the family and her many friends. RIP Jan

  • 10/23/2020

    Saddened to hear of Heather's passing. Fondly remembering the friendship we shared at school, visits to her home at Church Point, and when we shared an apartment at 1065 Bland Street and being the recipient of experimental blond streaks when she was at Cosmetology School. I will always cherish my memories of Heather. Rest in peace, dear friend.

  • 10/23/2020

    So sad to hear of Jan's passing. We were both friends and clients of her. Had known her for over 25 years.She always had a smile and a warm and inviting way about her. Even with her medical issues she kept going. She would never give in to the things that tried to keep her down. Always a smile and a lot of fun.I dreamt of her before reading about her passing. I feel blessed to have been in her heart, both Russell and I. I am so glad I have funny voice messages of her from Christmas and other occasions. Rest easy my dear friend.

  • 10/22/2020

    I was a friend of Jans when she was working on Quinpool Rd and we were friends also in Halifax Armdale Kiwanis Club RIP Jan prayers to the family

  • 10/22/2020

    Sincere condolences to Jan's family. Jan has been a special person and friend to our family for over 35 years. Her positivity, zest for life and perseverance through much adversity is an example for us all! Jan's presence will be dearly missed but her memory and sense of humour will be fondly remembered and cherished. Rest in peace Jan. Love Sue and Rick

  • 10/22/2020

    To all who loved and cared for Jan my heart goes out to you. I have very found memories of Jan. She had a way about her. She was a warm, soft caring woman. I knew her to be fun and quirky. Jan may you live on in hearts and now be free from health concerns.

  • 10/22/2020

    I am so sad to hear of Jan's Passing. I have known her for over 30 years which is close to my whole life. I loved going to see her, laughing and chatting as she cut my hair and in recent years my son's hair. She loved him as much as anyone. I am going to miss her. Rest in Peace

  • 10/22/2020

    I don't know what to say. Words mean so little at times like this. But I send my condolences to her family. I will miss her hugs. The last time I saw Jan for a hair styling she gave me a small china owl as she thought I would like it and wanted me too have it before she left. I will treasure it always. Rest in peace Jan, my dear friend, no more pain.

  • 10/22/2020

    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my good friend. Jan saw me through my turbulent teenage years when I first started getting my hair done by her at Hairs To Ya on Quinpool Rd and with the exception of one stylist who dealt with me at a friend's wedding, Jan was the only one i had since the 1990s. We shared so many laughs over the years and i always felt so much love when I was with her. She amazed me with her resilience and great spirit no matter what curve ball life through at her. She was one in a million. You will be missed Jan!

  • 10/22/2020

    My condolences to you family on Jan's passing. She was a valued friend with whom I shared many laughs. We met when she became my stylist and we became fast friends. I was very grateful to be able to see Jan while she was in hospital and say goodbye. I will miss her. Hilda Power

  • 10/22/2020

    I was very sorry to learn of Jan's death. I was a client of hers for some 20 years. It was always a pleasure to see her for a haircut -- she was lively and outgoing, had a great sense of humour, and was always interested in the world around her. I last spoke to her by phone a few weeks ago. Ken Dewar

  • 10/22/2020

    I will always remember my great friend Jan, her laughter was so infectious. She was a wonderful and faithful friend for over 40 years. Rest easy at last my dear Jan. Love Susan

  • 10/22/2020

    My condolences to the family. So glad to have known Heather for over 30 years. Met her through my son, she was my hairdresser for many years and still kept in contact after. Spoke to her while she was in the hospital. RIP Heather.

  • 10/22/2020

    So sorry to hear about Heather, I was a school friend , I try to get hold of her though her sister and brother but they or Heather never got back to me I had a dream about her last night and them when I looked at the paper ,oh so sad . Hugs, prayers sent you way to you all . Love and take car Carol

Add a Candle

Click a candle below to add a candle to your message.

Loading...