Finally, she founded the Memphis chapter of the METAvivors peer support group. I loved Heather's posts on Facebook--they were always upbeat and inspiring. [] While this work became record-breakingly profitable, what we were was dead.. Join Facebook to connect with Heather Donahue and others you may know. Edit Rei Hance [1] (born Heather Donahue; December 22, 1974) is an American writer, businesswoman, and retired actress. Born in Great Falls, MT, Heather graduated high school before serving proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps. According to Rolling Stone, Donahue and her fellow actors were treated to aggressive filmmaking tactics, including the filmmakers shaking their tents loudly in the middle of the night and leaving notes meant to cause friction between the actors. And following its successful run, Artisan Entertainment bought the film's distribution rights. An official certificate recognizing your purchase will be included with your email receipt. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. She said she modeled her character after a director that she once worked with, citing the character's self-assuredness when everything went as planned, and confusion during crisis. Write your message of sympathy today. Heather Donahue is not dead. A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. with services to. (She covered that story in more detail in her 2012 memoir GrowGirl.) "We were cast, I think, because the three of us are so different," she said. Another thing Heather Donahue hated about working in The Blair Witch Project was the fact that she had to pretend she was dead to promote the movie. He was born in the town of Sampson to Merritt and Laura (Shipman) Donahue on August 10, 1926. Lawrence. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Michael was the. Blessings of our eternal father be yours. The Emergency Nurses Association, Memphis Chapter honored her as the 2016 Emergency Nurse of the Year. A dedicated wife, mother, daughter, sister, and life saver, she died after a long, victorious fight to stave off terminal cancer. If you've seen The Blair Witch Projectand based on the box-office numbers, you probably haveyou might feel like you've personally witnessed the death of Heather Donahue, the 24-year-old woman at the center of the greatest overnight success in movie history. ", And Donahue, a woman who purportedly died at 24and survived a very different kind of harrowing experience in the years to followhas found the life she wants. A year after the release of The Blair Witch Project, she appeared in the independent film Home Field Advantage, and alongside Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Jason Biggs in the romantic comedy Boys and Girls. While she would point out that the struggle to overcome addiction never ends, she successfully embraced sobriety in 2000. The family asks that any memorial donations in Heather's honor be made to either Living Beyond Breast Cancer (lbbc.org) or SOAR Doggy Rescue (soardoggyrescue.org). '", As the enthusiasm over The Blair Witch Project's uniqueness curdled into irritation at its cultural ubiquity, people began turning on the movieand Donahue, whose face had become the lynchpin of the marketing campaign, endured much of the backlash. I didn't know you. Thank-you very much for your service !!! Add a Memory. In the aforementioned article she wrote for The Guardian, Donahue recalled being noted as dead on IMDb as a. While she would point out that the struggle to overcome addiction never ends, she successfully embraced sobriety in 2000. She "won" Worst Actress at the Razzie Awardsa ridiculous sham of an anti-Oscars ceremony, but an experience she says "still sucked" as a young actress who felt totally unprepared for how enormous the movie had become. He worked as a Certified Pharmacy Tech in the Bryn Mawr Hospital NICU. The ending of the "The Blair Witch Project" has caused the film to become a cult phenomenon, and is often used as a basis for copycat found-footage films. Its all anyone wanted to talk to me about, she admitted. Just think about John Carpenters Halloween (1978), Wes Cravens A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), or, most recently, The Blair Witch Project (1999). ", And if she had chosen, she'd have gotten the chance to reprise the role. Rhodora Jacob Donahue lived a full and admirable life, exemplifying the compassion and generosity of her faith as she brightened and strengthened the lives of family, friends and community.. Born on January 13, 1938 in Pittsburgh, he is the son of the late Edward and Catherine Schiefer. ", But beyond all the goofiness of the sympathy cards and conspiracy theories, the most frustrating thing was how hard it was for anyone to understand why being the face of The Blair Witch Project was so hard. Her role in the film originated in 1997, when she read about an audition that was being advertised in Backstage magazine for actors with strong improvisational abilities, which were needed for an independent horror film. Both those concessions were made at Donahue's request. "I've gotta tell you: I think it's better than the original," she said. Now you have heavenly wings. She is also survived by her fiance, Christine Denman; her son, Zachary Vesci; her brothers, Arben Colaku and Agim Colaku; and sister, Lili Colaku. These are the kinds of odd concessions you're required to contemplate when your actual face and name are suddenly at the center of an out-of-the-box phenomenon like The Blair Witch Project. May you find peace in Gods promise of eternal life and in knowing Heather was greeted with open arms by our Savior and by your dad. Heather is survived by her mother, Pamela Grant. "There are still people who think that me, Mike, and Josh are actors that were hired to cover up that The Blair Witch Project was actually a snuff film," she marvels. It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. [16] The same interview revealed that she was writing for, and intended to produce, a sitcom tentatively called The High Country, based on her experiences in marijuana farming. The same year, she appeared in an array of short films and televised films, such as The Walking Hack of Asbury Park, New Suit and The Big Time. Sending love to her family and all who loved her. To plant trees in memory,. If you bought into The Blair Witch Project's then-revolutionary marketingas a reported 50% of moviegoers didyou might even have believed you witnessed the actual death of Heather Donahue. "My obituary was published when I was 24. Heather maintains her leadership as director of the film project right until the bitter end, pushing herself and her friends past ungodly limits of endurance until they meet their grisly fates. It's so creepy. This week, when I asked her the same question, she got philosophical. He other accomplishments speak for themselves. As a working actress in Los Angeles, this proved to be detrimental to Donahue's career. "I have a small cameo in The High Country," she allowed. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Planting will take place in Spring of the following year. I've done all these things since: I've published a book, I've grown weed, I've produced this independent TV pilot. There's no-recapturing the spooky 1999 phenomenoneven with a bigger budget. Despite what the publicity surrounding her breakout role in the cult horror film The Blair Witch Project may have wanted you to believe, Heather Donahue did not disappear in those creepy old woods outside of Burkittsville, Maryland as the victim of some dark unseen supernatural force. Blogs; Online will; Shop. And I said, 'Well let me explain.'". Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. She began her calling as an EMT before earning her paramedic's license, her associate's and bachelor's degrees in nursing, and eventually achieving her ultimate goal of flying as a nurse for Hospital Wing. "Its a little bit like you were a cancer survivor, in a way," she reflected at the time. She promoted volunteerism as a critical aspect of education. Rhodora and Jack moved to Naples in 1986 and returned each summer to their farm in Ligonier to spend time with their growing multi generational family. You will receive email notifications when changes are made to the online memorial, including when family and friends post to the Guestbook. While being nominated for a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress Newcomer, and an Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress, she was also nominated for worst actress at the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, and won in the same category at the Golden Raspberry Awards. Rhodora was keenly insightful into the needs of others and met this call with a generous spirit of giving and wisdom. She also invested time with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, where she served as a Hear My Voice Community Outreach Volunteer. Her last acting role was in the 2008 direct-to-DVD horror film The Morgue. I wouldnt have chosen to have the role, but I was the best, cheapest person for the job. Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 08:46, Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress Newcomer, Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress, Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television, Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress Newcomer, Sticks and Stones: An Exploration of the Blair Witch Legend, The Massacre of The Burkittsville 7: The Blair Witch Legacy, "Editorial: The 12 Ballsiest Movie Publicity Stunts", "The Blair Witch Project: The best viral marketing campaign of all time", "1999 22nd Hastings Bad Cinema Society Stinkers Awards", "Blair Witch Actress Heather Donahue Quit Acting to Grow Pot", "Interview: Heather Donahue, Author of Growgirl", "Growgirl: Heather Donahue's Journey From 'Blair Witch' to Growing Marijuana", "The Blair Witch Project's Heather Donahue Is Alive and Well", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rei_Hance&oldid=1140076836, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 08:46. TUES-SAT Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton. And now you have the scar, and wow: Wasn't that great that you've survived it, and you've come through the other side? And Donahue, a woman who purportedly died at 24and survived a very different kind of harrowing experience in the years to followhas found the life she wants. She enjoyed spending time with company, tending her flowers, cooking, and caring for her pets. [5] After filming, Hance and the two other leads were asked not to appear on any television shows or in any films, as the filmmakers made great advertising efforts to portray the events in the film as factual, including the distribution of flyers at festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival, asking viewers to come forward with any information about the "missing" students. Heather is survived by her mother, Pamela Grant. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. The Bizarre Way Heather Donahue Was Paid For The Blair Witch Project. If you are having trouble, click Save Image As and rename the file to meet the character requirement and try again. Her first screen appearance, and her best known role, is in the 1999 found-footage horror film The Blair Witch Project. [3][4] For the role, Hance had to learn how to operate a camera, spending two days in a crash course. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. In fact, nowadays, The Blair Witch Project is considered one of the scariest horror movies of all time. Hugs from Minnesota. She is known for her roles as Heather in the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project and Mary Crawford in the miniseries Taken. Hance was credited under her birth name in her acting roles and for her first book, changing it to Rei Hance sometime after 2016 and before 2021. I really I actually can't believe how much I loved it. Donohue, HeatherWith terrible sadness, the family of Heather Eileen Donohue announces her passing on December 19, 2018 at the age of 46 years. All the Under-$20 Style, Tech, and Home Goods We're Feeling This March, 35 Alarmingly Good Watch Deals to Upgrade Your Wrist, Fellas, You're About to Blow Your Rent Money at the SSENSE Sale. Find the obituary of Heather E. Donohue (1972 - 2018) from Memphis, TN. "I feel incredibly proud of my work in that movie creatively," she says. She auditioned at the Musical Theater Works in New York City and was cast in one of the three principal roles. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Francis Donahue; her brother, William Jacob Jr.; sisters-in-law, Helen Jacob and Mary Ann Jacob; brother-in-law, Charles Frey; grandchildren, Heather Donley and Melissa Donley; and great-grandchild, Conlan Rheingrover. That will always be the first line of my obituary, no matter what else I do. "I mean, really. 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