The oldest resident of Sheffield Mills has peacefully passed away
Jean B. Hennigar - It is with great sadness and also joy that we announce the passing from this life into the glory of eternal life of Jean Beatrice Hennigar on Tuesday, April 5th, 2016, at home, aged 100. Born February 18th, 1916, at home in Gaspereau, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Lena Isabel Jodrey. At an early age, her family moved to Wolfville, where she attended school. Upon graduation, she went to Mack Business College, learning skills that stayed with her for her entire life, especially the art of shorthand. She worked at Minas Basin Pulp and Power until her marriage to her handsome skating partner, Dean S. Hennigar of Greenwich. After their wedding at her parents’ home in Hantsport, they moved to Brooklyn, Hants Co., then to Somerset, Kings Co. The next move was to South Berwick, where she became a charter member of the South Berwick branch of the Women’s Institutes of Nova Scotia. After a summer spent at Turner’s Brook, the family moved finally, in 1953, to Sheffield Mills when they purchased the Harold Chase apple farm. There Mum raised five children, did the books for the farm, and was a director of Minas Basin Pulp and Paper Company for 16 years. She attended First Cornwallis Baptist Church as a faithful and faith-filled member for 62 years, serving as clerk for the Church for 19 years. She was a charter member of the Blanche Gower Auxiliary, and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, played the piano and taught Sunday School. She and Dad also taught Sunday School in the Gibson Woods Baptist Church. They were both members of The Gideons International. She attended PTA meetings for many years, was an Explorer leader, and remained a member of the Sheffield Mills and District W.I. until the time of her passing. Over the years, Mum researched the genealogy of four branches of our family and was a charter member of the Kings Historical Society and one of the early members of the Genealogical Society. Her second hobby from the time she was 13 until recently was scrapbooking. If anyone needed a picture or article from years ago having to do with anything that touched Mum’s life, she most likely had it. She was a terrific reference for family, and also as a member of the Sheffield Mills Community Association. She was part of a W.I. committee that wrote and published the first edition of “Grist From the Mills”. Mum was an avid reader all her life and passed on her love of books and reading to us all. She enjoyed travelling, but was always glad to come home. She especially enjoyed spending winters on the island of Montserrat at their home there, and summers at the cottage at Lake George. She loved to play games, especially Scrabble, and most card games, teaching us to try to win, but also teaching us how to lose. Her “sticky buns” were legend and you never went hungry at her table. She is survived by her children, David (Carolyn), Bedford; Laurie (Joan), Sheffield Mills; Tim (Irene), Upper Granville; Richard (Debbie), Sheffield Mills and Kentville; and Susan (Joe Ueffing), Glenmont. She is also survived by grandchildren, Brian (Valerie), Jan (John) Hennigar Buckland; Geoff (Jodi), Graham (Mona); Andy (Kerry), Peter (Tracy), Colin (Laura); Matthew (Jessica), Amanda, Trevor (Jillian); Joost, (Susan) and Sandy (Erin) and by 16 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Dean, in 2005, an infant daughter at birth, sister, Florence Bishop and brother, John Jodrey. Many thanks to Dr. Crystal Todd, Stephanie Hennigar, Careforce, VON, Palliative Care, and a most heartfelt and grateful thanks to Crystal Harvie and her wonderful team, Gladys, Yvonne, Isabel, Wendy, Sherry, Debi, Marlene, and Dawn. Cremation has taken place. Visitation was held on Friday, April 29th, 7-9 p.m., at White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. A celebration of Mum’s life was held on Saturday, April 30th at 2:00 p.m. at First Cornwallis Baptist Church, 1012 Middle Dyke Road, Upper Canard. Donations may be made to First Cornwallis Baptist Church, The Gideons International, Acadia Divinity College, or The United Baptist Women’s Missionary Union. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.