Abbotsford, BC – Heidi Marie Smyth Nitsch, a beloved member of the Abbotsford community, passed away on September 5, 2024, at the age of 37. Her passing has deeply affected her family and friends, who are now working to cover the costs associated with her end-of-life arrangements.
Born on September 10, 1986, Heidi’s passing has left a significant gap in the lives of those who knew her. A GoFundMe fundraiser was initially set up during Heidi’s illness to assist with the expenses related to her loss of income. However, due to her unexpected passing, the family is now facing the challenge of covering additional costs for her cremation, memorial, and other essential expenses.
Marie Alford, who has been organizing the fundraising efforts, shared on Facebook that they had managed to raise $4,000 out of a $5,000 goal last year. The funds were used for Heidi’s expenses while she was unable to work. Sadly, Heidi passed just a day after the fundraiser was reposted in hopes of securing more financial help. A total of $1,000 has been raised in the last week, but due to the complexities of accessing the previous fundraiser, a new campaign has been created to support the family.
The current GoFundMe aims to raise funds for Heidi’s cremation, the purchase of an urn, and other memorial-related costs. Additionally, the funds will help cover rent, utilities, and daily household expenses for the family and Heidi’s pets, including her dog, Sushi.
Marie Denise Alford, in her heartfelt post, wrote, “Thank you all for your continued support, prayers, and generosity during this most difficult time.”
Details regarding Heidi’s celebration of life will be shared soon, as her family works to honor her wishes for a more personal and reflective service.