Heather McNamara, ray of sunshine

Remembering a cheerful soul

It is likely that every person in the East Islip and Islip Terrace community was touched by Heather McNamara in some way.

The 22-year-old EMT for The Exchange Ambulance of the Islips devoted her life to helping others and spreading kindness to everyone that crossed her path before she tragically died on June 1.

McNamara battled chronic illness, persevering through cancer and diabetes with unwavering bravery. McNamara began her battle with cancer when she was just 3 years old, and was the first child to undergo a high-risk operation to remove a tumor when she was just 7. The brave girl never stopped fighting and remained positive throughout her health battles, beating all odds. She graduated from East Islip in the Class of 2019.

In December 2023, what started as the flu quickly progressed into multisystem organ failure. Through frequent Facebook posts, Heather’s mother, Tina McNamara, was able to keep the community updated on Heather’s condition while she was hospitalized, before she ultimately died in June.

Despite having to fight illness her whole life, cheerful McNamara had always been determined to make light of her struggles and remain optimistic.

“Instead of looking at a scar and thinking, I am ugly, or, I do not have the perfect body, she went ahead and got a tattoo of a zipper on top of one of her scars to show that you can make something negative, positive,” shared Tina.

Called to help others

Tina shared that her desire to help others dates back to when Heather had her ground-breaking surgery at 7 years old.

A year after Heather’s surgery, doctors from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital contacted Tina about another little girl who had just undergone the same surgery as Heather. The doctors explained that the girl was giving up hope and did not want any doctors touching her.

“They asked us to knock some sense into her, that she needs to fight. The girl was hesitant to receive Heather’s help, but Heather lifted her shirt and showed the scarring on her stomach from the surgery—that was the very first time, she had been self-conscious of it. And Heather said, ‘I am going to teach you how to walk, and how to go to the bathroom, and shower,’” shared Tina. “After a couple hours, the girl was out of bed and ready to go. And the doctors and the girl’s mother credit Heather for saving the girl’s life.”

Heather was determined to be the good she wished to see in the world. While working the morning shift at Starbucks, she greeted every customer with a warm “good morning sunshine,” without fail. Her free time was filled by a variety of community service. The EMT volunteered her time with the New York Blood Center, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, soup kitchens in Brentwood, was the president of East Islip High School’s Key Club, an ambassador for Make-a-Wish, and so much more.

Even recently while she was in the hospital, Heather thought of others. She purchased colorful bandanas to gift to each of the nurses, doctors and hospital staff members that assisted her.

Heather’s legacy lives on

After Heather’s death, local residents rallied in support around the McNamaras, and shared stories with the family of ways that Heather spread kindness.

“Someone from one of her jobs had said because of her, I felt more comfortable about my sexuality. Another said because of her, I am able to stand up to people and be okay with being different,” said Tina. “So many people’s lives she has touched. It makes me feel that she lived for more than 22 years. She lived a lifetime.”

Among the East Islip residents who were touched by Heather’s story was John Lennon, owner of Lennon Flags and Flagpoles, a family business.

Heather and her sister, Stephanie, had been saving money to purchase a flagpole to fly an American flag in their front yard, though once they had saved enough money, Heather ended up in the hospital. The flagpole became a surprise Father’s Day gift from Tina, Stephanie, and Heather, for father Joe McNamara. John Lennon installed the flag in the McNamara’s front yard barely two weeks after Heather’s death.

Lennon quickly pieced together who the McNamaras were while installing the flagpole. After Lennon refused to take payment, the McNamaras insisted on paying full price, and simply asked Lennon to pay it forward.

“I never met Heather, but the struggles for her and her family were something that we all followed. Sometimes the updates were uplifting and encouraging and other times we heard of the pain she endured,” said Lennon. “She had the most positive way about her and that came through with every post from her family. I wish I could have met her.”

Lennon took the encounter to heart, and has taken initiative to give a flagpole away each month to a veteran in honor of Heather. The money from the McNamaras, and $100 he is putting aside per flagpole install, will fund the flagpoles, their installation, and an engraved plaque attributing the flagpoles to the memory of Heather McNamara.

In the comments on Lennon’s Facebook post announcing the giveaway, Long Islanders can nominate a local veteran to receive the honor. The first flagpole has already been installed in the yard of Pat Hughes, a Sayville resident who was drafted and served on the front lines of the Vietnam War.

The beautiful tribute to Heather is one of many ways that she will be remembered. To nominate a veteran, comment the veteran’s name on John Lennon’s Facebook post from July 3 dedicated to the Heather McNamara flagpole giveaway, by visiting www.facebook.com/John.Lennon99.

Heather’s legacy will also live on through a new foundation being started by her family, Heather’s Helpers Foundation.

“To honor her and try to continue the work that she did, we are starting a foundation to help people that want to become paramedics,” noted Tina. “We will also help the community, because when we were in the hospital with Heather, so many people stood up and helped us out.”

While the McNamara’s are still completing the legal paperwork to get the foundation started, they are already planning a number of fundraising events. Through community events like a chili cook-off, and a cornhole tournament, the Heather’s Helpers Foundation fundraising events will bring the community together.

Perhaps the most touching way Heather’s legacy will live on is through her mother Tina and sister Stephanie, who have decided to become EMTs to continue what Heather started.

What stands out the most about Heather’s story is the sheer number of hearts she has touched. Hundred took to social media to share interactions they had with Heather, whether she smiled at them in the hallway of East Islip schools, or saved their life as an EMT. The impact of one determined young woman with a kind heart and desire to spread goodness will reverberate through the greater East Islip community, forever.