Linda Arlene (White) Heath died at Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, MO, on the evening of March 3, 2024, surrounded by her family.
A celebration of her life gathering will be held at the Ginger Creek Clubhouse, at 110 Ginger Lake Drive West in Glen Carbon from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 9. Irwin Chapel is assisting the family in arrangements.
Mrs. Heath was born Sept. 1, 1946, the second child of Donald White and Thelma Fay (Jarvis) Rayphol. She spent most of her childhood in Coffeen and was a proud Hiltopper cheerleader and baton twirler. In eighth grade, she met her lifelong love, Terrence Heath, whom she married in 1965 before they moved to Fulda, Germany, when Mr. Heath was drafted into the Army.
With their friends, Jay and Glenda, the Heaths traveled throughout Europe and formed lifelong friendships and memories. Upon returning to the United States, the twosome lived in Chicago and eventually Houston, TX, where they welcomed two daughters, Amy and Katy.
Mrs. Heath’s career in banking and then early childhood education turned to parenting. The Heaths returned to the St. Louis metro area in 1984, making Edwardsville and Glen Carbon their home, where she enjoyed several years as a chiropractic assistant.
Known for her empathetic heart and generous spirit, friends gravitated to her joviality and warmth. She was always quick to say that “hate is a very strong word” and “you never know what someone is going through” to those who had harsh words for others. Her creativity found expression in poetry and in quilting, including crazy quilting, which she shared with her mother and sister.
Mrs. Heath found great satisfaction in her work as a chiropractic and acupunctural assistant, alongside spoiling her grandchildren and generally creating joyful and memorable moments for all. Her family and friends are grateful for the blessing of her life and hope to continue her legacy of generosity and love.
In addition to her husband, Terry Heath, she is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Dr. Amy Heath-Carpentier and Michael Carpentier of Edwardsville and Dr. Katy Heath Steinbacher and John Steinbacher of Champaign; “adopted son”, Josh Irish of St. Paul, MN; four grandchildren, Liam Carpentier, Muireann Carpentier, Esme Steinbacher and Francis Steinbacher; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Michael and Diane Heath of Houston, TX, Jane and Melvin Bellaver of Hillsboro, Marvin Bellaver of Hillsboro and John Heath of Houston, TX; many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Paul Oller; a brother and sister-in-law, Dallas Wayne and Mary Jo White and two sisters-in-law, Mary Bellaver and Julie Heath.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the Glen-Ed Food Pantry. Links to the memorials and a tribute wall can be found at www.irwinchapel.com.
