Lois Jean Spence - With broken hearts we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Lois Jean (McLeod) Calder Spence on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, in All Saints Hospital, Springhill, after a brief illness. Her courage and determination to stay with her family and her enduring love, was an inspiration to us all. She was first and foremost a mother and her legacy of love and caring will never be forgotten.
Mom had many careers, the most important was a mother. She was a hairdresser, a PCW at High Crest Nursing Home and did everything from retail sales to running a home bakery. She was most famous for her cooking and baking including birthday and wedding cakes that many family members and friends treasured. She was a member of Springhill Baptist Church and her strong faith sustained her throughout many difficult times. Her love of God and belief in the hereafter helped her face the end with grace and dignity. She was also a member of Friday Friends Card Club and Sunday Night Bowling League and she loved to play bingo. Mom was always first to volunteer in many worthy causes and along with Bob could be seen at most functions. Her energy and enthusiasm and her great love of people shone in her daily life. Her heart and love knew no bounds and she was a natural caregiver for many extended family over the years. She was our angel and although we miss her, we know she is in a better place and will always be watching over those she loves. She is safe in God's hands.
She is survived by four daughters, Charlene (Ken) MacCallum, Truro, Sandra (David) Siddall, Brule Point, NS, Doll (Jack) MacDonald and Karen (Rod) Bryan both of Springhill; three sons, Murray (Dawn) Calder, Quispamsis, NB, Douglas (Marlene) Calder, Fenwick and Bill (Anne Arseneau) Calder, Springhill; twenty one grandchildren and twenty nine great grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Canning and Marilyn (Ian) Fancey both of Springhill; several nieces and nephews including special niece Wendy (Keith) O'Brien, South Brook, NS, who was wonderful to Mom. She is also survived by five step-children, Monica (Wayne) Miller and Hannah (Peter) MacDonald both of Halifax, Angela Warham and Jean (Doug) Schiefer both of Springhill and Robert (Debbie) Spence of Thunder Bay, Ontario and their families, who Mom loved as her own. She was very proud of having twelve children and was never happier than when her house was full of family and laughter.
She was predeceased by her parents, Murray and Mildred (Clark) McLeod and husbands, Irvin Charles Calder and Robert Alexander Spence.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to A. H. Brown Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane Street, Springhill, (902 597 2361) where visitation will be held from 7 to 9 pm Thursday, August 11, 2011 and 1:00pm until time of funeral service at 2:00 pm Friday, August 12, 2011 in the Springhill Baptist Church, 47 Church Street, Springhill, with The Reverend Ken Thompson officiating. Burial in Hillside Cemetery, Springhill.
Thanks to all the staff on 2nd Floor and Palliative Care Staff of All Saints Hospital, Springhill; Dr. Fasharonti and Dr. Kadir and Dr. MacDonald of Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Nappan, and all those who supported Mom through her illness.
If so desired donations may be made to The Dr. Carson and Marion Murray Community Centre; Springhill Baptist Church or the Nova Scotia Kidney Foundation would be appreciated.
www.brownsfuneralhome.com