Heather Lee Raum, 76 years old, of Bracey, Virginia, passed away on July 20, 2020 in the loving comfort of her family after a two-year battle with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer.
Heather was born in New Jersey, to Kenneth and Rosemary. The third of four siblings, she was raised in a vibrant household filled with music, adventure, hijinks, creativity, love and discovery. She graduated from Plainfield High School and earned a teaching degree from Coker College in South Carolina. Returning from Christmas break, she met her future husband, a young Air Force airman, Richard Raum in a Florence, South Carolina train station. Upon Richard’s return from Vietnam, they were married on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1966, and settled in Wilmington, Delaware. She taught in elementary schools for several years before becoming a mother. Her own experiences as a young mother led Heather to cofound the Early Learning Center in the Hockessin United Methodist Church. One of her life accomplishments was cultivating a partnership of passionate teachers and engaged parents that recognized the potential of each child, inspired them to explore the world, and launched them into the joy of lifelong learning. After raising their children in Delaware, including a brief stint in Fairport, New York, Heather and Richard moved to Bracey, Virginia. There, Heather found time to paint and craft. She didn’t just enjoy retired life, she flourished joining the Flying Aqua Babes (FABs), Not So Serious Golf, Lake Gaston Ladies Club, the Lake Gaston Art Guild and various supper clubs. She loved the water and could often be found swimming across the lake, waterskiing, kayaking or just floating with family. She was commonly seen jet skiing in her pink life vest, surrounded by paints and arts and crafts supplies in her art room, or gathered with friends and family. A person of seemingly boundless energy, she also volunteered at the VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital and the South Hill Bread Box.
Heather is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 53 years, Richard, their three children Merritt (spouse Greg), Rebecca (spouse Chad) and Dwight (spouse Allyson) and adored grandchildren, Sarah, Nathan, Carter, Claire and Averlie. She is also survived by her siblings Noel (spouse Shirley), Allan (spouse Janie), and Holly (spouse Larry)A dockside celebration of Heather’s life will occur on a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Special thanks to the staff at the VCU Hendrick Oncology Center, South Hill Farrar Funeral Home is serving the Raum family.