In 1995, photographer and teacher, Heather Pillar, collaborated with Morrie Schwartz during the last six months as he battled ALS. Her first monograph, Memento Morrie: Images of Love and Loss (Daylight Books, 2024) illustrates Morrie’s philosophies through photographs of him interacting with family, friends, and caregivers and building community. Over a quarter-century later, Morrie’s wisdom resonates with people around the world due to the best-selling memoir: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. Morrie taught people, including Heather – how to live fulfilling lives with love. “It is by facing fears of death that we learn how to live.” Heather’s photographs have been exhibited internationally as well as published in numerous newspapers and magazines such as Newsweek Japan, People Magazine and The Boston Globe; books include The Wisdom of Morrie, Tuesdays with Morrie and Morrie: In His Own Words. Her work has also appeared on television (CBS Sunday Morning, Today Show) and online – NPR, Next Avenue (AARP) and on PBS’s Inside E Street.
