Elizabeth 'Bessie' (Bonnar) Olszowiec
Passed on: December 18th, 2008
90, Scotchtown/ New Victoria/Sydney It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Bessie Olszowiec on Dec. 18, 2008, at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney, with family members at her side. Born in Sydney Mines, she was a daughter of the late Sarah and William Bonnar. Bessie was one of four sisters to choose the nursing profession receiving her RN degree in 1940 after which she worked on special cases prior to her marriage. While raising her six children, she became a superb cook and baker specializing in pies and baked the "best apple, lemon meringue and blueberry pies in the whole world" according to her husband Rudy. She was a long time and supportive member of both St. Michael's parish and St. Joseph's parish and was devout in her faith as a Roman Catholic. She and Rudy made many pilgrimages to Ste. Anne de Beaupre Shrine. She and Rudy were also avid card players particularly adept at duplicate bridge. A good, loyal friend and neighbor, Bessie quietly gave generously to those in need. Bessie is survived by her sons, Robert Blair (Judi Gerbrandt), Delta, B.C., Gerard, Sydney; daughters, Maria Quigley, Weston, Ont., Beverly (Michael) Cathcart, Sydney, Karen (Michael O'Driscoll), Brace Bridge, Ont.; daughter-in-law, Margaret Olszowiec, Nelson House, Man.; grandchildren, Michael and Aaron Olszowiec, Karen Gibson, Christopher, Scott and Lauralee Olszowiec, Stuart Quigley; great-grandchildren, Mallory, Connor, Christopher, Emma, Hannah, and Davey; sisters, Casilda Gillis, New Waterford, Theresa Jardine and Angela Taylor, Sydney Mines, Catherine MacGean, Ont., Patricia MacKenzie, Massachusetts, Camillus Roth, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews. Also left to mourn are the caring and loving staff of Fisherman's Cove, Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney (all departments). Bessie was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Rudy in April 2007; her son, David Brian in 1994, brothers Henry, Alphonsus, William, Edgar and Wilfred and sisters, Rachel Bonnar, Sarah Higgins, Magdalen MacNeil, Monica Buchanan, Eva Bonnar and Rita Laforet. Visitation for Bessie will be held Monday, Dec. 22, from 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass to celebrate Bessie's life will take place Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m in the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Michael's Church, River Ryan with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with a reception to follow at the Gaul Centre. Donations in her memory may be made to your local food bank or to a charity of ones' choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
