Heather Lea (Hector) Thordsen

Heather Lea ( Hector) Thordsen was born on April 27, 1954, in Cook County, Illinois. At a very early age, she was adopted by Roy William Hector and M. Marceil Hector. She grew up primarily in Woodridge, Ill., with her adoptive sister, Holly.

Hea t he r graduated from Downers Grove

South High

School in

1972. After graduation, she moved to California and became a scriptwriter for such shows as “Happy Days” and “Chico and the Man,” among others.

Upon returning to Illinois in the late 1970s, Heather found her true calling in life. She made child welfare her passion and was a board member of the Child Welfare League of America and the Illinois Child Care Association. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from North Central College, and went on to get her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Governor’s State University.

On May 19, 1990, she married her soulmate, Michael William Thordsen. Heather was the immensely proud mother of two children, Mark (born 1992) and Nicole (born 1995). She was an active mother and also active in the Methodist church throughout her life.

Upon moving to Northwest Arkansas for Michael’s employment in 2005, Heather spent two years as the executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, two years as a RESPECT Trainer for the University of Arkansas, and the final 10 years of her working career as a Foster Parent Trainer for MidSouth Training Academy, UALR, until her retirement on January 4, 2021.

On February 20, 2021, Heather was diagnosed with brain cancer. After a courageous fight against this disease, she went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 28, 2021.

Heather was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Marceil. She is survived by her husband, Michael; son, Mark ( girlfriend Marcie); daughter, Nikki, and her sister, Holly (Hector) Payton (Rev James Keith); several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Heather will truly be missed by friends, family, and colleagues.

According to her wishes, Heather will be cremated. A celebration of life memorial will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 1 p.m. at Heather’s home, 107 S West Ave., Lincoln, Arkansas 72744, for friends and colleagues. A private memorial for family members will be held at a later date at a site yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any of the following: Prairie Grove First United Methodist Church, 1401 E Parks St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753; Humane Society for Animals, 407 E Nursery Rd., Rogers, AR 72758; Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, AR 72762.

Online Guest Book: www. luginbuel.com.

Thordsen