Vale Heeling (Helen Dean), a much-loved and long-time member of the Mullumbimby and Byron Shire community.
Heeling passed away around 4pm Monday January 24 at the Tweed Hospital, after a major cardiac arrest.
She had earlier been admitted to Tweed Hospital.
She will be very missed by her family, friends, and the wider community and even farther afield.
Such was Heeling’s big beautiful heart and smile that it shone so much love to all who crossed her path. A light so bright it reached right across the planet.
Locals know Heeling as a popular local personality, tarot reader, and alternative therapist.
Her wisdom and easy laugh brought joy to so many hearts everywhere.
Community spirit
Heeling was also known for her community spirit: volunteering at the Byron Writers Festival, Schoolies (every year), Bluesfest, the Mullum Museum, Pets for Life, and elsewhere.
Always happy to lend a hand, she would be the first to reach out to support a friend in need, in a crisis, even supporting a friend through a major health crisis.
Nothing was too big or small for Heeling.
Her bright light and joy will be very much missed and felt by so many in the Byron Shire.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to the ICU medical teams at both Lismore and Tweed hospitals, where Heeling had been receiving care since Christmas Day.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all the healers, those who held prayers for Heeling and those that just sent so much love to her during her time in hospital.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
