Heather was the second of four daughters to Angus Easton Cameron and Mary Elizabeth Cameron (nee Hollingshed) who were both members of well-known, long established Cessnock and  Pokolbin pioneer families.

Heather spent her early adult life living and working in Cessnock, including some years at the thriving Cessnock Co-Operative Society as a book keeper. Her close-knit families were residents of Ellalong, Quorrobolong, Congewai and Pokolbin.

She married Leonard Allen Lukes on March 22 1952 at St John’s Anglican Church, Cessnock.

They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2002, but Leonard passed away the following year.  

Heather and Leonard’s early married life was in Cessnock. They then called Teralba home for two decades before relocating to Lorn more than 34 years ago.

Heather had a wide range of interestes including gardening, antiques, interior decorating, wonderful household management and fine needlework and knitting skills, which have resulted in unique family heirlooms being created.

She had high energy, spoke practical good sense and had an extraordinary attention to detail. She was also humble with a positive outlook.

Heather was easily recognised by many in the city of Maitland as a woman with impeccable sense of style and correctness.

She thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the Hunter riverside café of Lavenders every Thursday and the very special and attentive staff at a number of Maitland’s fine fashion retailers.  An avid reader, the regular visits to the Library were just as carefully planned as they should be.

Heather’s death marks the end of the era for her Lukes, Cameron and Hollingshed families as she was the last in her generation. Her funeral service was held at St John’s Anglican Church Cessnock, 20th June 2018.  She is survived by her children Julie, Colin and Paul – their partners, ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

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