Heather Merriweather Robertson was a talented screenwriter, director and filmmaker who had a promising career in the entertainment industry. She was also the daughter of two famous actors, Dina Merrill and Cliff Robertson, who had starred in many classic movies and TV shows. But her life was cut short by a devastating disease that affects millions of women around the world: ovarian cancer. Here is what you need to know about Heather Merriweather Robertson’s cause of death and how she fought bravely until the end.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones. Ovarian cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the abdomen, pelvis, lungs or liver. According to Mayo Clinic, ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it reaches an advanced stage, because it does not cause any specific symptoms in the early stages. Some of the possible signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- Abdominal bloating or swelling
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Weight loss
- Discomfort in the pelvis area
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
- A frequent need to urinate
The exact cause of ovarian cancer is not known, but some factors that may increase the risk of developing it include:
- Age: Ovarian cancer is more common in women who are older than 50.
- Family history: Having a close relative who had ovarian cancer increases the chance of inheriting a gene mutation that predisposes to the disease.
- Hormone therapy: Using estrogen after menopause, especially for more than 10 years, may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Fertility treatment: Some studies have suggested that using fertility drugs may increase the risk of ovarian cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this link.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
The treatment options for ovarian cancer depend on the stage, type and grade of the cancer, as well as the overall health and preferences of the patient. Some of the common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. The survival rate for ovarian cancer varies depending on how early it is diagnosed and how well it responds to treatment. According to American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for all stages of ovarian cancer is 48%, but it can be as high as 94% if the cancer is found and treated before it spreads.
How Did Heather Merriweather Robertson Die?
Heather Merriweather Robertson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2006, when she was only 37 years old. She underwent surgery and numerous treatments, but the cancer was aggressive and resistant to therapy. She died on April 29, 2007, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she had moved to pursue her passion for filmmaking. She was 38 years old.
Heather Merriweather Robertson was born on September 6, 1968, in New York City. She was the daughter of Dina Merrill, a socialite and actress who appeared in films such as Operation Petticoat (1959), The Sundowners (1960) and The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963), and Cliff Robertson, an Oscar-winning actor who starred in movies such as Charly (1968), Spider-Man (2002) and PT 109 (1963), where he played John F. Kennedy. Heather had two older half-sisters from her mother’s previous marriage to Stanley Rumbough Jr., Nina Rumbough and Stephanie Saunders.
Heather followed her parents’ footsteps and pursued a career in the entertainment industry. She studied at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, and graduated from Brown University with a degree in comparative literature. She also attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and Columbia University’s School of the Arts. She worked as an actress, writer and director for various projects, such as White Chicks (2004), Josie and the Pussycats (2001), What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004) and Casting Adrift (2004), a short film that she wrote and directed based on her own experience of living with ovarian cancer.
Heather was known for her creativity, intelligence and courage. She was passionate about exploring different cultures and languages, and traveled extensively around the world. She spoke fluent Spanish, French and Italian, and was learning Arabic and Mandarin. She moved to Buenos Aires in 2006 to work on a documentary about Argentine tango. She also founded a production company called Tango Films with her partner Alejandro Agresti, an Argentine filmmaker who directed The Lake House (2006) starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
Heather’s death was a shock and a loss to her family, friends and colleagues. She was remembered as a beautiful, talented and inspiring person who lived her life to the fullest. Her obituary read:
ROBERTSON–Heather Merriweather, 38, died this past weekend in Buenas Aires, Argentina. Heather, a screenwriter, director and filmmaker, was the daughter of actors Dina Merrill and Cliff Robertson. She is survived by her brother Stanley H. Rumbough and her sisters Nina Rumbough of Greenwich, Connecticut and Stephanie Saunders of Charlesston, South Carolina. Family services will be held privately. Friends may send memorial contributions in Heather’s name to St. Paul’s School, 325 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301-2591
Heather’s legacy lives on through her work and her spirit. She was an example of how to face adversity with grace and dignity, and how to pursue one’s dreams with passion and determination. She was also a voice for raising awareness and finding a cure for ovarian cancer, a disease that affects many women around the world. Heather Merriweather Robertson’s cause of death was ovarian cancer, but her life was much more than that. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a lover, an artist and a fighter. She was Heather Merriweather Robertson.
