CALLAGHAN, JESSIE "SANDY" - It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Jessie Alexandra "Sandy" Callaghan, 85, at her home in Hampton, NB, on August 24, 2014. Born in New Waterford in May 1929 to John and Jessie MacLeod, she was a graduate of Sydney Academy and the Glace Bay General Hospital School of Nursing. Sandy was married in 1950 to Alban J (Smokey) Callaghan, an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers. Ten children and numerous postings across the country later, Sandy and Smokey moved back to the Maritimes in 1964, settling into their family home on the Kennebecasis River in Hampton. During her career, Sandy worked as a Registered Nurse at many hospitals across Canada, retiring in 1993 from the New Brunswick Department of Health and Community Services. She was an avid reader, loved music, dancing, travel, and throughout her life was keenly interested in politics. Sandy was predeceased by her husband Smokey in 1979, her parents, and her siblings David, Russell, Isabelle, King, Roderick, John A, and John T. She is survived by three sons, David (Rodney McKeen) of Toronto, Peter of Irricana, Alta and Paul (Dr. Edith) of Wolfville, NS; seven daughters, Shauna (Dr. Paul Aqulina) of Toronto, Dr. Tara (Peter McLean) of Antigonish NS, Glenda (late Chris Collier) of Hampton NB, Sheelagh (Peter Manchester) of Sackville NB, Maureen (Aaron Thomas) Toronto, Kate (Dr. Nancy Butler) of Kingston, Ont, and Kelly (Richard Murphy) of Toronto. She is also survived by nineteen grandchildren; Luke and Alexandra Aquilina, John Corbit (Lauren Cutt) and Nukhalu Callaghan-Patrachar, Diarmaid Callaghan, Elijah, Sebastian and Dante Manchester, Thandi and Quincy Callaghan-Thomas, Dylan Callaghan, Alexandra and Tara Callaghan, Isabelle, Eloise and Cecelia Callaghan, Kathleen, Shannon and Daniel Murphy, one great grandchild, John Allan Corbit, many nieces and nephews, and “grand-dog” Angus. The Callaghan family would like to thank our Mother’s personal care givers, Joan Hodgin and Deb McCready for their kindness and compassionate care over the last few years.
Visitation will be held at Reid’s Funeral Home Friday, August 29 from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday, August 30 from 11am to 1 pm. A private family interment will be held at a later date at Fernhill Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. VA Snow Center in Hampton, or a charity of one’s choice. Personal condolences to the family may be made at www.reidsfh.com