Edith Mary Louise Fraser
Born In: Montréal, Canada
Born: May 29th, 1911
Passed in: Canada
Passed on: April 13th, 2016
Edith Mary Louise Fraser (nee Were) of Sydney, N.S., passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016. She would have been 105 years old on May 29.
Born in Montreal, on May 29, 1911, her parents, Edwin H. and Edith (Marshall) Were emigrated to Canada and settled in Eureka, Pictou County, N.S., where Edith, her sister, Florence and brother, Edwin 'Ted' grew up. She was the last living member of her immediate family.
Surviving are her sister’s son and daughter, Harvey Jardine (Margaret) and Bonita Steeves (Brian) (nee Jardine); her brother’s sons and daughters, Earl Were (Liz), Carol White (Rev. Roy), Fred Were (Beverly), Albert Were (Beverly), Evelyn Roy (George), Ronald Were (Donna), Susan Slaunwhite (David) and Philip Were (Sandra); also a cousin in England, Alice Malpass; as well as, many grandnieces and grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
After graduating as an RN at Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow in 1934, she married her beloved Arthur Fraser and they moved to Sydney, where Arthur was employed as a chemist at Sydney Steel. They were married for 57 years. After Arthur’s death, Edith continued to live on the corner of Kings Road and Castle Drive and, for three years, had part time/full time home care. The last two years of her life she lived in Dartmouth with Hazel and Ron Hector, where she was given exemplary full time care and love. In addition to her family members, who live mainly in the Halifax area, plus three in Ontario and New Brunswick, Edith had many visitors and support from her neighbours and church family. Edith was a longstanding, active member of First United Church and a director of Sydney Bairncroft Ladies Auxiliary until her death. On her 100th birthday, she was honoured by her church with a birthday party and church service the next day devoted to her life. She was picked up by a limousine, led by an antique car, and walked into the church on a red carpet that the queen had walked on. Edith loved the Royal family and many thought she resembled Queen Elizabeth. A piper piped her into the church. She was the oldest customer of the Royal Bank in Sydney and was honoured to cut the ribbon for the opening of their new building. Edith loved animals and the outdoors. She and her late husband toured extensively with their trailer with campground association members. Until recent years, she took road trips to Halifax for Christmas and other gatherings. Berry picking was a favourite activity, even after she celebrated her 100th birthday.
A memorial gathering will be held at Hope United Church (formerly Edgewood-Oxford), 3055 Connaught Ave. in Halifax on Thursday, April 28, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. (driveway off Young Street). Funeral service and committal will be held in Sydney, N.S. at a later date.
Charitable donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Bairncroft Foundation, c/o Rev. Thomas Whent, 121 Westmount Rd., Westmount, N.S., B1P 1A2 or charity of your choice.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or email sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
