To all my treasured friends and family:
It is with a heavy heart, but a rejoicing spirit, that I share with you the death of my daughter, Heather Joy Allison Lord Saylor. She died on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 3:45 pm. Most of you are aware that Heather has been a breast cancer survivor. Although she had undergone the most aggressive treatment program available and her cancer had been in remission, in the last two years, the cancer returned in metastatic form and began its inevitable journey throughout her system. Heather fought the good fight and her doctors did all they could; in the end cancer took her. However, cancer was not victorious. She attained ultimate victory as she joined her mother, Hazel Boyte Kern and her nephew Noah Thomas Emory Lord in the arms of the Lord.
Heather left this mortal coil surrounded by those she loved and who loved her. She is survived by her husband Brian Lee Saylor, her daughter Jessica Hazel Marie Saylor, her father, Byron Nelson Lord, her brothers Glen Stuart Nelson Lord and John Robert Boardman Lord, her brother by marriage, Kevin Saylor, her two sisters by marriage Tanya DiHoff Lord and Nina Leko Lord along with a host of nieces and nephews including Vladik, Ethan, Ivan, Emily, Alice, and Irene.
During her thirty-nine years, Heather “Joy” built a community of treasured friends going back to elementary school and continuing throughout her adult life. She was fortunate to have been able to share her love of life and her faith in Jesus Christ with so many. She always tried to make a difference in her world and worked hard to serve those who she loved. Perhaps her greatest gift was her beautiful ability to give love.
As Research Director at CoStar Group she was valued and adored. Her struggle against cancer was always respected and she was strongly supported by her team, both those who reported to her and those to whom she reported. Heather loved her colleagues and considered many of them to be her friends, close friends, verging on family. We are all grateful for such a fantastic employer that loved her so much. It is a rare thing indeed to have such a thing.
As a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a colleague, a church member, and in all the many roles and relationships she had throughout her life she made me so proud to be her father. God gave her mother and me the most wonderful gift when we received the blessing of Heather in our lives. Heather made it clear that the Holy Spirit was in control of her life; consistently demonstrating: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Heather lived her life as Jesus taught us all to do: She loved the Lord her God with all her heart and with all her soul and with all her mind. Furthermore, she loved her neighbor as herself. There was nothing more important to her.
The METAvivor community was very important to Heather. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to METAvivor in her honor.
Bryon Nelson Lord (Father)
