Acadia is mourning the loss of Heather Saunders, Dean of Libraries and Archives, who passed far too soon on March 6, 2025 at the age of 48.

After an extensive career at universities throughout Canada and the United States, Heather relocated to the Annapolis Valley and became part of the Acadia community in 2021, taking on the role of Dean of Libraries and Archives.

During her time at Acadia, Heather was involved in a variety of internal and external committees. She worked closely with Laura Robinson and Polly Leonard to organize events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including hosting a talk by Julie S. Lalonde and a panel discussion titled Stories of Resilience and Resistance, where she also presented. Heather was deeply committed to promoting employee wellness and engagement, particularly for her colleagues in the library and archives, and she organized several workshops and professional development opportunities to support their growth.

Heather’s passion for learning extended well beyond her Bachelor’s degree in Art and Art History and dual Master’s degrees in History of Art and Library & Informational Studies. She passionately pursued knowledge through her own learning and by facilitating the learning of others in her work in libraries. “Heather's enthusiasm for libraries was evident in everything she did,” says Deborah Hemming (Libraries and Archives). “She was a deeply curious person with a love for learning and she believed strongly in the critical role libraries play in a quality education.”

In addition to her passion for libraries and archives, Heather was also an accomplished artist, exhibiting as close to home as the John B. Aird Gallery in Toronto and as far afield as Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Dr. Laura Robinson (English) says, “An artist and scholar herself, Heather was very passionate about how art can be a tool to expose gender politics.”

Among all her other pursuits, Heather was also an author. She was proud to have recently published a chapter in Art at the Intersection of Librarianship and Social Justice, a book that perfectly marries many of her life’s passions.

In appreciation of Heather’s love of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Heather’s colleague,  Jean Kelly, shared the following quote, “And remember, my sentimental friend, that a heart is not judged by how much you love: but by how much you are loved by others.”

A memorial service will be held at Hillside Funeral Services in North Bay, Ontario, on March 15. Heather’s family invites condolences, memories, and stories to be shared on her official obituary.