With sad hearts, we say farewell to our cherished mother, Jessie Phyllis Cameron, 85, of Hopewell, who passed away at the Maritime Odd Fellows Home on Friday, May 17, 2013.
Phyllis was born in Lorne, Pictou County, to the late Hugh Lindsay and Susie Ethel (Beale) Smith.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill Cameron; brother Douglas (Gus) Smith.
Remembering her with love are her daughter, Debra (Peter Sartorius), Ottawa; son Brent (Jayne MacCarthy), Pictou; and grandchildren Ben and Ainsley Cameron. She is also survived by her sister Thelma, Pictou; brother-in-law Jack Cameron (Carol), Moncton; several nieces and nephews.
Phyllis was a lifelong resident of Hopewell. She graduated from Stellarton High School in 1946. She began her office career at MacLean, Johnson and Williams; left to raise her family and then re-entered the workforce, first at MacGregor Bedding and finally at Land Registration and Information Service. She was a member of St. Columba United Church and active in many community organizations including the UCW and Silver Light Rebekah Lodge. One of her loves was music and singing, and her lovely alto voice found expression in the St. Columba Choir, Notable Friends and Trinitarians.
A woman of great grace and dignity, she took much joy in being a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She found her creative muse in fabric and taught adult sewing for many years. Phyllis loved quilting, crafts of all kinds, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, birdwatching, a hot cup of tea and a good laugh. She took immense pride in her home and garden. She and Bill were a fixture for many years at Pictou County rinks for adult skating nights.
Phyllis’ world was upset by a diagnosis of Alzheimers in recent years, yet she bore this challenge bravely. Her sweet disposition and lovely smile remained intact.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Maritime Odd Fellows Home for its compassion, respect and peerless care, Newfoundland Ladies whose care permitted Phyllis to stay in her home as long as possible, and the kind thoughts of family and friends, near and far. If desired, memorial donations in Phyllis’ name may be made to the Alzheimers’ Society of Nova Scotia, or the Pictou County SPCA.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 2-4, and 7-9 p.m. at the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Home, 18 Acadia Avenue, Stellarton. Funeral service will take place on Monday, May 20, at St. Columba Church in Hopewell at 2 p.m., with Rev. Bonnie Fraser officiating. Interment to follow in Foxbrook Cemetery. Reception will take place thereafter in St. Columba Church Hall.