Monica McNenly (Curtis)
Born In: St. Margaret's Village, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Sydney Forks, Nova Scotia, Canada
In a quaint little home across from the Co-op in St. Margaret’s Village, Monica’s story began as the daughter of Jim and Helen Curtis. With her three surviving siblings: Joe Curtis, John (Buddy) Curtis and Theresa MacDonald, along with the three that predeceased her: Mary MacDonald, Rose Burton and Charlotte MacNeil, she learned the lessons of faith, love and charity that became the cornerstone of her being.
Monica fell in love, as she would say, with her “handsome mountie,” Bruce McNenly (surviving), and she spent the next 53 years dedicated to being his partner and best friend. Inseparable, they moved throughout Nova Scotia over his 38 year career and made life-long friends in every community in which they were stationed. Beyond any doubt, her greatest pride came in form of her four children: Stephen, Sydney, Janice, Halifax, Kelly and Jennifer, Sydney Forks. She spent her life dedicated to her family by demonstrating endlessly what it meant to show charity to others, to enjoy friendship and to open the arms to hospitality at every opportunity possible.
Originally employed at Maritime Tel and Tel, she gave up her paid work to spend every waking minute in the service of others. She served on the CWL in various communities but spent most of her time silently preparing meals for others, knitting for church sales, adopting families at Christmas and doing endless anonymous acts of charity. In the past few years she took great pleasure in writing letters as a Secret Santa for Canada Post.
Monica was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and a woman of true faith, not only in her religion but in people. She was an eternal optimist who always saw the good in others. How she loved putting on the tea, giving hugs and hearing the stories. She loved music and everything Irish and how she loved to laugh. Affectionately known as “Ma” to so many, she touched lives in a way that cannot be expressed. The love she shared so generously was contagious and while our hearts are broken at the sudden passing of our beautiful mom; we, like everyone who knew her, can only be considered blessed to have shared in her life.
We will celebrate her life with a wake at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., on Sunday October 28, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of Fatima church, Monday, Oct., 29 at 11 a.m.
Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or any charity of your choice.
“The greater the joy…the deeper the sorrow.”
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of...
