Heather Gene Abrams, talented artist, teacher, long-time Utica resident, and cherished friend, died at her home in late August 2024.

Educated in the Utica Public School System, Heather received a B.A. in Art History from Boston University and was awarded the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, a competitive grant given to high achieving students to continue their education after graduation. She attended graduate school at New York University.

An accomplished artist, Heather's work was displayed in several galleries around the country. She was a Signature Member of the Central New York Watercolor Society, which also included her work in several of its shows throughout the years.  She was equally talented in oil painting and sculpture.  Although versatile in several genres, Heather had a strong passion for depicting scenes in the Southwest, and to that end she spent many summers in New Mexico, capturing photos of inscription rocks, which she then sketched and reproduced in print editions.

Heather also loved teaching Art History at Utica College, where she was an Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts. Her students describe her as tough but caring, always willing to help those who were eager to learn and extremely knowledgeable about art. Friends say she was a virtual encyclopedia when they went with her to museums.  She was a member of Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute (Munson), the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Growing up in Utica, Heather worked summers and holidays in her parents' store, Johann's, a well-known women's and girls' clothing store, which was a fixture in both downtown and New Hartford for several decades. She was also a gifted fashion designer, often sketching and sewing her own creations.

Heather was predeceased by her parents, Sylvia Abelove Abrams and Herman Abrams; and also by her sister, Leslie Abrams. She is survived by her cousins, Ann Abelove Siegel, David Abelove, Chris Gordon, Robbie Hardee, Sherry Abelove, and Henry Abelove. She also cultivated many friendships over the years which she held dear.  She will be sorely missed.

A burial service will be held at the Temple Beth-El Cemetery, Wood Road, Whitesboro, at 1 PM on Tuesday, September 3, with Cantor Kalman Socolof officiating.

Arrangements are with the Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service, Inc., New Hartford.