Olive Florence (Higgs) Tetford
Born: January 13th, 1916
Passed on: March 24th, 2019
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Olive Florence (Higgs) Tetford of Kings Road, Sydney, formerly of 127 Cottage Road. Mum passed away Sunday, March 24, 2019, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, in her 104th year.
Olive was the oldest of five daughters born to the late Armour (MacVay) and Ambrose Higgs in Neville, Saskatchewan on January 13, 1916.
Her early years were spent in southern Saskatchewan and northern Alberta. As a teenager, Mum moved with her family to her mother’s home in Sydney. She completed her education at Empire Business School and joined the staff of the former Brookfield Dairy, where she worked until her marriage to the late Charlie Tetford in 1938. Along with raising her five children, she also cared for three foster children. She derived much pleasure working with young girls in the neighbourhood as their Brown Owl. Mum was very active in three different Home and School associations, a member of the Sydney School Board, Beinn Bhreagh chapter of the I.O. D.E., White Cross volunteers and was the last founding member of the Mira Boat Club. An accomplished seamstress, she taught many women to sew at night school, as well as opened a fabric shop in her home. Mum was activities director at the former Spring Garden Villa Nursing Home. For the last several years, Mum’s Wednesday afternoons were brightened by visits from her quilting ladies. Mum enjoyed summers spent at the family bungalow in Mira. Her love of travel brought her to all corners of the earth.
Olive was predeceased by her parents; her husband; daughter, Shirley “Bishy” Rydman; son, Wilfred “Wickie” Berrigan; sisters, Pauline Collier, Frances Reeves, Corinne Urquhart and Jackie Wilson.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Nancy (Dan) MacKinnon, New Waterford, David (Judy), Sydney, Brenda (Billy) Dalton, Mira and Brian (Annette), Mira; 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Sydney Memorial Chapel. Respecting Mum’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer with family and friends.
A special thank you to her friend and neighbour, Jean Brann. Thank you to the home care ladies who made it possible for Mum to remain where she wanted to be, at home. Words cannot express our sincere appreciation.
Memorials in memory of Mum, who was an avid reader and library user, may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Library’s Central Library Building Fund in her memory.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
