The oldest to the youngest
Merle and her great-granddaughter Ava
“A Mother’s Love Never Grows Old”

Nelson, A. Merle, 109, of Bible Hill, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Elk Court, Brookfield. Born in Stewiack East on November 24, 1908, she was the youngest child of Lamont and Evelyn (Hopkins) Kent. Merle was a member of First United Church Truro, and affiliated with Valley United and Knox United in Brookfield. She is survived by her sons, David, Gordon (Ruth), Lloyd (Janet); daughters, Jane MacCallum, Donna (Vaughan Matheson). 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren 5 great-great-grandchildren. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Frank in 1977; sons, Robert, and baby Donald; infant grandson; son-in-law, Tom MacCallum; daughter-in-law, Eileen. In 1930 she graduated from New Waterford General Hospital as a Registered Nurse. Most of her nursing career was spent doing private nursing in the Stewiacke and Truro areas. She met and married Frank in 1934 and lived in the Nelson farm on the hill in Pleasant Valley for 8 years. They moved to Bible Hill in 1942 and raised their family of seven. Many times she was called upon to nurse relatives and neighbours on the street. She helped relatives deliver babies and saved the lives of many. Her door was always open and many good meals and snacks were enjoyed, especially her donuts. The best cook in the country grew her own garden, canned, pickled, and preserved everything she could get her hands on. She was loved and will be missed by all who knew her, and will be remembered fondly. Merle participated in a study from Boston University Medical Centre on Centenarians. She has been accepted to Dalhousie University Medical Centre for future science discoveries. Interment at a later date in the Nelson, Dartt Cemetery, Pleasant Valley. Family flowers only please. If so desired donations may be made to Dalhousie Medical Research c/o Dr. Jeff Scott, Inspector of Anatomy. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mattatall ~ Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street Truro. A service of Celebration will take place Saturday, January 13, at 2 pm, at the Knox United Church in Brookfield with Rev. Michael Henderson officiating. Reception to follow. Special thank you to Dr. Karla Armsworthy and her "family" at Elk Court, and especially her niece Paula O’Neil for all their care and kindness to all of us. Web-casting of service to start at 1:55 p.m. Private messages of condolence can be sent to the family by viewing Merle’s obituary and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com