Willena Marion Stagg
Born In: North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: June 22nd, 2010
In celebration of a life lived fully and joyously, a tirelessly optimistic and happy lady adored by all who knew her, Willena Marion Stagg, 89, died peacefully at home loved and comforted by her family on Tuesday, June 22, 2010.
She was born and raised on the Gannon Road and true to heart, a "Gannon Roader", she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Laura (Jackson) Steele.
A truly independent lady, and a woman before her time, she would rather do something wrong than have someone tell her to do it "right". From working at the Co-op and running a general store, she followed no one's rules but her own. She was a loving and supporting wife, a strong and generous mother. Precocious and open-hearted, she also had a heavy hand in raising three grandchildren who will eternally adore her for those qualities and forever hold her in the highest respect.
In her early years she was employed at the British Co-operative Store and also ran a general store attached to her home and a clothing store with her sister-in-law Eileen. She volunteered during the Second World War, reading and writing letters for soldiers and also volunteered as a ward aid in the outpatient department at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Willena was proud to be a voting delegate for the Liberal Party which gave her the opportunity to meet former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, a highlight of her life. She also worked for the Board of Health for the town of North Sydney.
She was a faithful member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church, North Sydney, and spent many years as president of the ladies auxiliary. Many wonderful memories, long laughs and years spent at the family cabin in Barrachois Harbour, Willena has been an inspiration and leading example to many. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She is remembered by her loving husband, Jack; her son, Kevin (Brenda); and daughter Gail (Robert) May, both of North Sydney; her granddaughters, Karen (Bruce), Ashley and Jillian (mother Paula) and niece by blood but granddaughter by heart, Kayla; her special 'sons', Kenny (Diana) Steele and Gerard (Diane) Steele; as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
Awaiting her in heaven are her mother and father, Laura and Daniel Steele, brothers, Russell (Rose) Steele, Bunny (Stella) Steele and sisters, Rose (Hec) MacNeil, Myrtle (Stan) MacDonald and Joyce Steele, as well as her best friends Bick, Isabel and the ever loving "cabin gang".
Visitation for Willena will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today (Thursday) in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Giles Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ritchie Robinson officiating. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney.
Memorial donations in Willena's memory may be made to St. Giles Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com.
