BISHOP, Marie Louise– 81, of New Minas, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville with a close friend by her side. She was born on September 13, 1929 in Windham, CT, USA, to Canadian parents, the late Harold Enoch Bishop and the late Gertrude Louise (Hiltz) Bishop. The family returned to Coldbrook in 1932 when Marie was three years old, and then moved to New Minas in 1953 where they remained. She was their only child and last remaining member of her immediate family. Marie attended public school until age eight, when she was stricken with polio and confined (but not deterred) to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She was subsequently home schooled through correspondence until age 14. At age 15, Marie started creating quality crafts to be sold throughout the Maritimes at Gift and Tourist shops. She was a long time member of the Nova Scotia Craftsmen's Guild. She was a past participant in provincial exhibits staged by the Nova Scotia Festival of Arts. This was Marie's career until the mid 70's when arthritis in her hands made it difficult for her to continue sewing. Marie devoted her life, and considerable abilities, to her community. She was a member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association for 60 years and was a strong voice for access, resources and changing public perception about the disabled. She was a member of the Annapolis Valley Stamp Club, using stamps as a vehicle to fund raise for her chosen charities. Marie fund raised for the Flower Cart Society for 30 years, earning them over $15,000. They made her an Honorary Society Member in 2001. She also fund raised for the IWK since 1980. She was a founding member of the Minas 50 Plus Senior Citizen's Club. She was a supporter of the Aldershot Elementary School, New Minas Elementary School and the Kings County S.P.C.A. Marie and her parents were great friends to the residents of Evergreen Home for Special Care, Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre and Grand View Manor, providing Christmas gift baskets to residents without family support for over 50 years. Marie continued this practice, financed by her own means, right up to this past Christmas. Marie had a great interest in history and authored several publications including the Hiltz Family of Nova Scotia – a Foreign Protestant Family, 1984 and Tangled Roots – Descendants of John Bishop (1709-1785) of Horton, NS, A New England Planter Family, published by the Bishop Family Association in 1990 (Marie was a major researcher and compiler of Genealogy for this publication). She also played a role in the publication of Minas 50 Plus Senior's Citizen's Club – co-authored unpublished manuscript in 1991, The Pioneers of Canaan – Kings County, NS, researched and compiled by Marie and published by Kings Historical Society in 1994 and Memories of Coldbrook – Nova Scotia, researched and compiled by Marie and published by Kings Historical Society in 1999. She left a lifetime's compilation of scrapbooks and papers that are invaluable to historians. Marie earned many awards over the years including the 125th Anniversary Confederation Medal from the Government of Canada and the Dr. Phyllis R. Blakely Lifetime Achievement Award presented to a person who has been outstanding in the promotion, development and preservation of Nova Scotian heritage for a period of not less than 30 years. She received numerous Volunteer awards from the province of Nova Scotia, Municipality of Kings, Village of New Minas and organizations including the Flower Cart, New Minas Volunteer Fire Department, Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre, I.O.D.E, New Minas Lions Club, Minas 50 Plus Senior Citizen’s Club and the Town of Kentville. Marie was grateful for her independence made possible by the support of Homecare and the VON. Marie is survived by a community of friends, a vast number of cousins and distant cousins through her Bishop/Hiltz background and a special daughter by choice, Anne Buttenshaw of Devon, England. There was no visitation, by request. The funeral service, followed by a reception, was held 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 1, 2011 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Pastor John Andrew officiating. Burial in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill. Donations in memory may be made to the Kings County S.P.C.A. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.