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Marion "Joyce" (Whitman) O'Brien

Marion "Joyce" (Whitman) O'Brien

O’BRIEN (Whitman), Marion “Joyce” - Age 89, Truro. We are saddened to announce the passing of Joyce O’Brien that occurred on Saturday evening, February 4, 2017, at Cedarstone Enhanced Care, Truro, surrounded, supported and comforted by all three of her children and family. Born in East Inglisville, near Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, she was the sixth daughter of the late Guilford C. and Linda Mae (Malcolm) Whitman. Joyce had a powerful and life-long drive to learn, help others (particularly children), witness her faith through action and minister in many capacities within the United Church of Canada. At the age of 13 she left home, a small isolated family farm, so she could continue her high school education in Lawrencetown, working for her board as she did. She went on to attend Acadia University where she studied theology and graduated with her diploma in 1950, an impressive accomplishment for a woman of few means in the post-war period. She loved her time at Acadia where she also pursued her love of drama. Her degree in Theology was finally conferred in 1992. She received her degree itself in the same mail as her first Old Age Pension cheque and as she was beginning her ministry at the charge in Doaktown, New Brunswick. Early in life, she dreamed of becoming a missionary to help children in India. She found her first calling working at the Glad Tidings Mission, part of Exmouth St. United Church in Saint John, New Brunswick, where she worked with severely disadvantaged inner-city kids and their mothers. She introduced them to camping at Camp Wegesegum and the joy of nature, both of which were passions of hers. In 1959 she married Rev. Allison O’Brien who was serving the Millstream United Church charge near Sussex, New Brunswick. They went on to serve the charges of Waverley-Wellington-Windsor Junction and Tryon, Prince Edward Island. They raised three children and took them on many trailer-based vacation trips throughout the Maritimes as well as Boston, Ontario and expo67 in Montreal. Joyce was a life-long supporter of CGIT (Canadian Girls In Training). Beginning as a member, she went on to lead many groups and camps as well as work at the national level organization. She also worked at Saint Andrews United Church in Truro as a Christian education leader, including Messengers. Beginning in the mid-1980s, Joyce took on the role of Lay Pastoral Minister and served the McCulloch United Church in Harmony-Camden, near Truro, for six years and then the St. Thomas United Church, Doaktown, New Brunswick charge for three years, finally retiring in 1995 at the tender age of nearly 68. Berwick Camp was also a long-time passion; she attended Berwick Camp annually, beginning in 1954 and missing only two years (1967 and 2015). In her retirement, she took great pleasure in being able to spend time with all her five grandchildren, nurturing, playing and watching them grow into the fine people they are today. A final life-long passion of Joyce’s was dolls, of which she had quite a collection. On two occasions, she displayed her collection to raise money for a women’s charity in Guatemala. She is survived by her sons, Timothy (Nancy) O’Brien, Waverley; Andrew (Helen) O’Brien, Truro; daughter, Ruth Anne (Kevin) O’Brien-Fisher, Upper North River; grandsons, Connor, Ian, Sean, Jason; granddaughter, Ava; sister, Lillian LeRue, Halifax; sister-in-law, Miriam “Middie” Whitman, Bridgetown; brother-in-law, John Blackwell, Dartmouth; special niece, Shirley Whitman, Halifax; many nieces, nephews and their families as well as a wide circle of friends. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Allison Hawley O’Brien; sisters, Josie Hood, Eleanor Retherford, Claire Whitman, Erna Rawding, Miriam “Mimi” Blackwell; brothers, Malcolm and Charlie in infancy. Joyce’s family would like to thank Dr. Suraiya Rafiq for her excellent care over the many years, Becky Langille and staff at the senior’s clinic as well as the staff at Parkland Estates (Fergus Hall Assisted Living) and Cedarstone Enhanced Care for their care over the past 18 months. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Joyce's family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2017. Memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2017, in Saint Andrew's United Church, 55 King Street, Truro, Keith Selwyn-Smith, DLM officiating. Reception and ice cream social to follow in the foyer. Spring interment in Noel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce’s memory to Berwick Camp are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Joyce’s obituary on-line and selecting “Send A Condolence” at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com

 

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