HALIFAX – Ida Iola (Falconer) Stalker, 97, Halifax, formerly of New Glasgow and Barney’s River, died at peace, Wednesday, November 26, 2014 in Northwood Manor, Halifax.
Born and raised in Concord, Pictou County with her four siblings, she was a daughter of the late Alexander Ross and Gertrude (Betts) Falconer.
She faced many challenges early in life, but used these experiences to nurture her incredible resilience and her “go get it done” attitude. Ida married Billy Stalker and moved to the Stalker family farm in Barney’s River where they raised six children. Upon retirement, she moved to New Glasgow for a 20 year period and then on to Halifax in 2013, although in spirit she never left Pictou County.
The importance of education was a constant theme in her life. She completed grade nine before having to suspend her education to work and support the family at a time when educating females was not felt to be important but this likely impacted her constant efforts to ensure that women’s voices were heard over her lifetime. Years later, Ida took immense pride when she saw her children go on to university educations. Ida took her personal pursuit of education further when, at the age of 50, completed her high school equivalent and then graduated from The Nova Scotia Teacher’s College in 1973. She loved being a teacher and frequently was heard to say “I never met a bad student”. Her belief in the potential of young people – especially those who had been marginalized – was undaunting.
Ida was involved in numerous organizations and was particularly proud of the annual Kenzieville Maple Syrup Festival, which used syrup produced by her family. She was very involved with The Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia and Canada, where she made many lifelong friends. She was a news junkie and was always ready to discuss any political issue of the day. Ida believed that everyone had an obligation to better their community.
Ida was most proud of raising her family. Her six children, 16 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren were a tremendous source of joy and she was intimately involved with their lives. Today, the family remembers her as Grammie or Gruckie. They will remember the little things such as her amazing gardening skills, her biscuits, her love of card games and dancing which she always described as “the best exercise going”!
Surviving are her daughter, Janet, Halifax; sons: Rennie (Donna), Woodstock, Ont.; Alexander, Fort Pierce, Fla.; Robert, Halifax; Allister (Gilda), Edmonton, Alta; daughter-in-law, Ann, Barney’s River; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William “Billy”; daughter, Eileen; son, Jamie.
Ida considered her caregiver of several years, Linda Olding to have been her seventh child. Her niece, Ida Joyce Crawford was her kindred spirit and was frequently by her side over the past few years. Their devotion to her wellbeing will be long remembered by the family members.
Public interment will be held 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in Kenzieville Cemetery. All are welcome to a celebration of Ida’s life to be held 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Celtic Circle, 195 Forbes St., New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, 536 Merigomish Road, New Glasgow with Rev. Randy Stanton officiating.
Family flowers only. Donations may be made in Ida’s memory to the Kenzieville Cemetery Fund or Aberdeen Health Foundation.
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