Reine Cairns
Passed on: December 31st, 2008
Windsor/Sydney Passed away peacefully, at Dykeland Lodge, Windsor, N.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. She was formerly a resident of Townsend Street, Sydney. Born in Montreal, Reine was a daughter of the late Jean Batiste and Elisabeth (Daenan) Paklarian. She was educated at L'Institute Evangelique de Pointe aux Trembles. During the Second World War, she was employed as a governess in the household of the late Mr. Samuel S. Cohen, Supt. of the Jewish General Hospital and Mrs. Cohen in Montreal. In 1947, she came to Sydney after marrying her late husband, Arthur Pringle Cairns. Reine was a member and the first lady elder of St. Andrew's United Church. She was active in the affairs of the congregation and for many years, was a delegate from St. Andrew's United Church to the Sydney Council of Churches. Reine was the last surviving member of the John Pringle Unit of the United Church Women. She was, for many years, the superintendent of the Central Sunday School. Reine was a past noble grand and treasurer of Martha Rebekah Lodge No. 29 and was a former member of Sisters of N. Clarke Wallace LOBA. She was a past president of Ashby Home and School Association and of the Sydney Council of Home and Schools. Reine is survived by her son, Ken (Lynn), New Minas; two grandsons, Garett (Roylene Ripley), Amherst, and Brandon, New Minas; one great-granddaughter, Chloe; great-grandsons, Caleb and Jacob; two nephews, Robert, Roger, Montreal. Also surviving are two of her "Montreal children," Shelby Shapiro, San Diego, and Dr. John Cohen, Denver Colo. She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur and brothers, Roger and Rene. Visitation will be held in Sydney Memorial Chapel, Saturday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service to be held in Saint Andrew's United Church, Sydney, Sunday 2 p.m., with Rev. Stephen Mills officiating. Interment will take place in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital or Saint Andrew's United Church would be appreciated. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
