Jean Williams
Passed on: March 7th, 2017
It is with great sadness that we, the children of Jean Williams, age 91, announce her passing on March 7, 2017, at Highland Manor, Neil’s Harbour, Nova Scotia. Born in Neil’s Harbour, she was the daughter of Henry and Clara May (MacKinnon) Ingraham. As a young woman, Mother left her outport home to go ‘in service’ to several families in Little Bras d’Or. It was there she formed an enduring relationship with the family of Hedley and Rita MacNeil. Upon her return to Neil’s Harbour in 1945 she married our father, Owen Williams. They enjoyed 63 years together while raising a family of six children. Life in the fishing village was hard and to supplement Father’s fishing income, our mother went to work as a cook at Buchanan Memorial Hospital and later, in the 1970’s, at the Chowder House restaurant on Neil’s Harbour Point. Her skill as a baker and cake decorator was much sought-after in the village and beyond.
Mother was youthful and spirited and had a passion for music and travel. She danced and sang whenever there was music and never let age or a cranky knee keep her from her musical pleasures. Spending time with her sisters in Florida and Nassau and camping trips with father to Newfoundland highlighted her travels. Mother’s mastery with the knitting needles provided her with another outlet for her creative impulse. Children, grandchildren and friends were the recipients of socks, mittens and colourful sweaters. Mom was predeceased by our father, Owen; sisters, Lillian and Anne; brothers, Simon Morris, Matthew, Johnny and Fred Warren, Robert and Ewart Ingraham; daughter-in-law, Sharon and special son, Donald Donovan. Left to miss her are her children, Fred (Jeannie), Wilbert (Debbie), Donna (Murdoch), Norman (Debbie), Yvonne (Dave) and Elizabeth (Andrew). Mother is also survived by sisters, Martha, Maggie and Eva Lena; brothers, Norman and Philip; 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Our family is grateful for the care and friendship given her by the staff and residents of Highland Manor since she made it her home in 2010. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fillmore and Whitman. There will be no visitation. The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017 at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Neil’s Harbour at 11 a.m. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.fillmoreandwhitman.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jean may be made to Highland Manor, Neil’s Harbour.
