Juanita 'Nita' Matthews
Passed on: April 25th, 2008
65, Whycocomagh Juanita Johnson ‘Nita’ Matthews, 65, Whycocomagh, Inverness County, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, Friday, April 25, 2008, in the An Cala Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Whycocomagh, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Edith (Matheson) Austen. Nita was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and Ladies Aid, Whycocomagh. She worked as a home support worker for Inverness County from 1987 until retirement in 2007. She thoroughly enjoyed the many friendships made with local seniors and missed their company upon retirement. She was a founding member of the Whycocomagh and Area Lionettes Club. Nita enjoyed knitting and bird watching and would sit for hours observing birds outside her picture window, especially the pine grosbeaks that frequented her feeders this past winter. She loved flowers and plants, having much success with the African violets that adorned her kitchen window. She also enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She is survived by her son, Fred, Whycocomagh; daughter, Holly (Steve) Coffin, Halifax; granddaughter, Tracy (Nick), Sydney; brother, Brent (Becky) Austen, Whycocomagh; aunts, Laura Cairns, Whycocomagh, Isabel MacFarlane, Baddeck; niece, Stephanie (Mark) MacEachern; nephew, Scott (Darlene) Austen; special grandnephew, Sean; and many cousins. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Flo Ellis, Tena Waters and Mae Matthews; brothers-in-law, John (Sadie) Matthews, Gerald (Eileen) Matthews and Calvin (Glenda) Matthews and their families. She will be greatly missed by family and friends, especially her lifelong friend, Jannett MacDonald. Nita was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Earl, brother, Donald in infancy, brothers-in-law, William ‘Billy’ Matthews, Arthur MacFadyen, Albert ‘Abbie’ Waters, sister-in-law, Geraldine ‘Gerry’ MacFadyen, and grandnephew, Noah Scott MacEachern. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. today and 2-9 p.m. Tuesday in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Whycocomagh. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church with Rev. Adam Lees officiating assisted by Rev. Anna Smith. Burial in Stewartdale Cemetery. Family flowers only please. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church or a charity of one’s choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com.
