Heidi Saastamoinen

Heidi Saastamoinen (Saastam), age 60, passed away at her home on Sunday, September 15, 2024, in Albuquerque (ABQ), New Mexico. A longtime resident of Bellevue, Washington, she moved to ABQ in 2018 to be near her parents and two sisters. 

 Heidi was born in Pocatello, Idaho on May 22, 1964. As a child and young woman, she lived with family in Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington, Florida, and then back to Washington. While in college, she lived in Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah. She returned to Washington to live, and then eventually moved to ABQ.

 After graduating from Sunset Senior High School in Miami, Heidi attended Brigham Young University. She was on the Homecoming Committee, helped organize a BYU Women’s Conference, and founded and chaired an American Lecture Series. She also worked at KUED, Public TV. Heidi transferred from BYU to the University of Utah (UofU), in Salt Lake City, where she studied Museum Studies. There she assisted high school debaters, and participated in a service program with the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center. She also served in the UofU Development Office where she supported the annual United Way campaign. Heidi began her museum work at the Salt Lake Children’s Museum.

 In the Seattle area, Heidi worked in the museum, high technology, and service sectors. While working at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard (Education/Project Coordinator), she earned a grant for an Oral History Project which had children interviewing 160 histories of recent immigrants. Heidi was President of the Washington State Folk Life Council and participated in a Kids Heritage Camp during the summer. She served as a docent at the Frye Art Museum.

 Heidi then worked in many positions at Microsoft: Corporate Events, Project Manager at Microsoft Press, ISV Relations Manager in the Developer Relations Group, Manager of Business Development Partners, and Project Manager for Microsoft Office 2007. After leaving Microsoft, Heidi worked at an E-Commerce startup as Director of Corporate Marketing, and for a small Japanese firm as a Market Research Administrator. She enjoyed extensive business travel. 

 Heidi served on the Seattle Ethnic Council and was on the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Benefits Gang, which recruited and trained young volunteers. She was also on the Board of the Children’s Trust Foundation, whose mission was to prevent child abuse. She was also a Development Consultant for the Big Sister’s/Little Sister’s organization in Seattle. Heidi helped lead the organization Seattle Singles Doing Charity.

 Heidi was proud to be an American. She was involved in the Young Republican Club of Dade County, Florida, which led to her to organize the National Young Republican Convention in Seattle. In 1987, she organized a college lecture/debate program for the 200th Birthday of the Bill of Rights. Heidi also worked six-months in Hawaii for a Congressman campaigning to be governor. Heidi also attended the inaugural festivities in WDC for President Ronald Reagan.

 Heidi was an enthusiastic member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young woman, she served in many class leadership positions, and she led the singing in Sunday School. Throughout her life, she played the piano for Relief Society. She was a Relief Society teacher many times, taught Gospel Doctrine, taught 5-year-olds in Primary, was an Activity Day leader, and taught a Family History class. She also taught early morning Seminary for four years. She participated in Stake plays and directed a Reader’s Theater for Relief Society. She served in the Seattle Temple for nine years. She was the Bellevue Stake Single Adult Representative, served on a Ward Activities Committee, was a Ward Emergency Coordinator, and she volunteered for many years at the Family History Center. Heidi enjoyed Visiting Teaching, especially for two Korean sisters in Bellevue.

Heidi enjoyed many hobbies during her life. As a young woman, she took lessons in piano, dance, and singing. She was a cheerleader, Editor of the Year Book, and was elected to several Student Council positions, including Class President. She enjoyed drama and choir, and directed a children’s play. She studied the Russian language, speech, and participated in a service club. Heidi also enjoyed arts and crafts.

 As an adult, Heidi loved her eight young nieces and nephews, who all lived in the Bellevue area for a time. She liked to spend time with them and she gave them thoughtful, unique gifts. She collected, refurbished, and sold antiques. She tutored a Russian émigré family. Heidi enjoyed photography (photo essays) and painting. Heidi collected numerous beautiful art pieces. For her birthday each May, she enjoyed making get-away trips with family.

 Heidi developed brain and physical health challenges, which limited the last 20 years of her life. She lived with family, where she helped care for her aging parents. Heidi spent many happy hours with her youngest nephew Sebastian. While in ABQ, she drove her disabled nephew Travis to and from his work. She loved the Southwick Family’s three family dogs, Jersey, Surf, and especially her beloved dog Dash. Dash was her protector and co-pilot as she drove around ABQ. Heidi enjoyed outings with family, and growing flowers and vegetables. She often greeted the school children who walked past the house each day from the bus stop. Heidi made an effort to celebrate holidays and birthdays, regularly contributing to special family meals and making creative homemade gifts for each family member.

 Heidi was preceded in death by her father Robert Arthur Saastamoinen, October 2023; her mother Leah Jessen Saastamoinen, March 2020; and her baby sister Hope, March 1967. 

 Heidi is survived by her sisters: Holly (Dennis) Southwick (ABQ), Heather (Matthew) Gibbs (Harstine Island), Hilary Hunter (ABQ), and Hildja Saas (Bainbridge Island). Her nieces and nephews: Travis, Taylor, Trent (wife Chloe and daughter Jovie), and Tate Southwick; Joshua, Kelley, and Adam Gibbs; and Sebastian Saas. 

Heidi’s ashes will be interred near her parents and sister in the Price City Cemetery in Price, UT. A celebration of Heidi’s life will be held with close family and friends.