VANDERDONK, Loretta Mary - age 88, passed away peacefully in Halifax on Saturday March 3, 2018 surrounded by family. Loretta was born on July 5, 1929 in Howlan, Prince Edward Island. She left PEI in the mid 1950's and moved to Ottawa to pursue her career in the Personnel Department of Zellers. She transferred to Dartmouth several years later where she met Arie, the love of her life, on a blind date in 1959. They were married in 1960 in Howlan, PEI. They were happily married for 55 years and raised 4 children in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Loretta was an active participant in the Catholic Women's League, Lionettes, Girl Guides of Canada, Yarmouth Garden Club, Ladies Auxiliary of the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. She had many involvements with St. Ambrose Parish including choir member, Eucharistic Minister, greeter as well as caring for the flowers at St. Ambrose Church, the Jubilee Room and the Bishop's residence. She was selected as the Town of Yarmouth's representative for Volunteer of the Year for 2002 because of her work with organizations such as the Cancer Society and the Yarmouth Hospital Hullabaloo, among many others. She was a homemaker by trade and also worked for Zellers, Sears and Avon. She retired at age 65. She enjoyed playing bridge with her very special friends, gardening, baking, camping, sewing, quilting (donated to the hospital), knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, but most of all, doting on Arie as well as her children, grandchildren and other neighborhood children wanting a cookie, doing it all with a hot cup of tea. She is survived by her son Jan (Irena Rot), Vanderdonk, Halifax; daughters, Ludwina (Jacques Maillet) Vanderdonk, Ottawa; Michelle (Scott) Schnare, Halifax; Veronica (Mike MacLean) Vanderdonk, Halifax; grandchildren, Kallie, Kersten, Ryley, McKenzie and Hana; sister, Frances Campbell, Kingston, ON and her many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her loving husband Arie, her father, Robert Prosper, her mother Margaret, and sisters Rosie and Beatrice as well as brothers, Jack and Bert. The family wishes to thank the staff of 6 Centre of Northwood Terrace for the wonderful care and compassion that they showed to Loretta and the entire family. We also thank those who have reached out to show their feelings for our mum. Our mother lived a full life and she lived it well and we take comfort in knowing that she is in Heaven with Dad and the rest of her family. She will be missed every day. Visitation took place from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 5th with prayers at 8:00pm, both at H.M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home, 29 Albert Street, Yarmouth. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 6 at Saint Ambrose Co-Cathedral, 43 Albert Street, Yarmouth, Father Henry Smolenaars officiated. Interment followed in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Yarmouth. Flowers or memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. You may sign the online guestbook or leave messages of condolence for the family by visiting www.huskilson.net.