Judith-Marie Poulain (Donovan)
Born: May 1st, 1924
Passed in: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: June 4th, 2017
It is with sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother Judith-Marie (Donovan) Poulain at Halifax, NS at 1:30 a.m. on June 04, 2017. She was 93 years old, from Ingonish Ferry, Cape Breton, born May 01, 1924. Daughter of the late James Blowers Donovan and the late Elizabeth Agatha Hines of Ingonish, Cape Breton. She was the last surviving member of her family.
Judith-Marie was predeceased by her husband, George Alexander Poulain, as well as her parents, three sisters, Agnes Emberly, Frances Hurley, Anna Teresa Emberley and her only brother, Ambrose (Bud) Donovan.
As a young woman, Judith-Marie worked as a chemist with Dominion Steel in Sydney. It was here she met the love of her life and future husband. Our parents were united in marriage on November 10, 1947 at Sacred Heart Church in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The following years were busy ones with the arrival of eight sons and three daughters. We all grew up in Whitney Pier at 67 Mt. Pleasant Street where we attended all events of the community and Holy Redeemer was the centre of our activities for school and church. With the death of our father in 1995, Mother made Halifax her home where she was closer to some of her children and family. Mother had a distinct handwriting of which she kept until the end. She was an avid writer and researcher and produced her family history book Deeds and Misdeeds: Five Donovan Orphan Children Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This includes the expropriation of their family property which became the entrance to the park, our Mother being the last orphan child.
Our mother and her siblings were brought up in Ingonish Ferry by their Aunt and Uncle, Angus J.
Hines and his wife, Janie.
Mother was all about homemade for the best quality. She left a legacy of her handiwork as we all have many pairs of homemade socks, mittens and hats. Best known for the aromas that came from our home were her homemade apple pies and especially her daily baking of homemade bread. Mother was known for her instant recall of dates and events throughout her life and maintained this special gift to the end.
This will all be greatly missed by her eleven children who survive, Alexander Ambrose (Betty Lynch) of Popular Grove, NS, Floyd Sheldon (late Heather Lewis) of Vancouver, BC, George Alexander of Sydney, NS, Judith Marie (Thomas Romard) of Charters Settlement, NB, Christine Elizabeth (Kenneth Reid) of Norfolk, VA, Fabian Joseph of Halifax, NS, Robert Gerard (Roberta MacNeil) of Lower Sackville, NS,
Ernest Reginald (Susan Smith) of Middle Sackville, NS, Angus Jay Hines (Colleen Butler) of Halifax, NS, Elizabeth Marie (Reiner Klatt) of Halifax, NS, Andre Joseph of Regina, SK. Also left to mourn are Judith-Marie’s 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, June 07, 2017 (7 – 9 p.m.) and Thursday, June 08, 2017 (2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.) at J.A. Snow, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax NS. Then on Saturday, June 10 2017 a funeral mass will be celebrated in Ingonish, Cape Breton at St. Peter’s Church at 1 p.m. with burial to follow in St. Peter’s Parish Cemetery. Reception to
follow. For online condolences, please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.
Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or
pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
