Genevieve Walker
Born In: Alder Point, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: February 1st, 1915
Passed in: Alder Point, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: January 30th, 2010
It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our dear mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, cousin and sister-in-law.
Genevieve was the only child of Margaret Alice (Livingstone) Devoe and Charles L. Devoe.
She was born on the property where she still lived in Alder Point and spent her summers in Big Bras d’Or with her grandparents and cousin Mary Livingstone.
She was a devoted mother to 21 children and was very proud of their accomplishments. A loving and caring grandmother to 45 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She was the shining light in all our lives. Her home was always filled with cooking and baking aromas, bread baking and many children from the neighbourhood mixed in with her own crowd. It was a stop off for most kids before and after school. There was always an extra place at the table for anyone who happened to drop in. This ritual continued long after her own family had moved on. Many friends of her sons and daughters continue to call and visit her when they come home for a hug and a smile.
She was an expert seamstress, making many of our clothes when we were young continuing to make her own for many years. She was also an excellent knitter. Many pairs of slippers were distributed to the extended family as well as crocheting and tatting. We also remember many Christmas decorations being made out of scraps of material and left over Christmas wrap. She will always be remembered when the family gets together for special occasions because there will always be stories to be told and pictures to be shown. She was a woman who was devoted to her religion beginning at St. Joseph’s and continuing at St. Anne, where she was a member of the choir, a reader at masses and a longtime member of the St. Anne’s Society. She made numerous trips to St. Anne De Beupre with her sister-in-law Celina Roland and her daughters.
She was a member of the Associates of the Sisters of St. Martha and an active member of the Bras d’Or Pensioners Club for 30 years and president from 1982-85. She was involved in the school board when our father was the secretary to the trustees at the Alder Point School. She took the school census for many years. She was very proud to have many longtime friends in Alder Point and the surrounding areas, although in the later years she was not able to visit too much.
She travelled extensively to Germany, United States and all across Canada where she had family in most provinces. She visited Sr. Joan at the many convents at which she was posted. Six of her children served in the military (now all retired from active duty) — Gib (RCN), Anne (RCAF), Vince (RCA), Betty (RCAF), Ken (RCA) and Don (RCA).
She is survived by her children, seven daughters, Helene MacLellan (James Simm), Sydney Mines, Anne Larade (Bob), Comox, B.C., Sr. Joan Walker, Lethbridge, Alta., Betty Graham (Brad), Alder Point, who lived with her and were her caregivers for the past five and a half years, Norma Marsh (Lou), Little Pond, Carol Vickers (Johnny MacNeil), Sydney Mines, Vicky Taylor (Jimmy), Florence; and 10 sons, Gilbert (Gloria Guido), Ottawa, Ont., Vince (Kaye Timmins), Englishtown, Leonard (Jean Phalen), Alder Point, Kennedy (Heidi Schutzner), Oromocto, N.B., Sheldon, Toronto, Gordon (Barbara Cholock), Riverview, N.B., Donald (Sandy Wallace), Guelph, Ont., Gerard (Susan Boyer), Thunder Bay, Ont., Pius (Deborah Armsworthy), Scotchtown, Greg (Joanne Buffett), Alder Point; stepsister, Margaret Keily, Sydney Mines; and a special brother and sister-in-law, Johnnie and Deany Walker; also many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, George Francis Walker, July 25, 1964, sons, Charles Richard Walker, July 1, 1961, James Adrian Walker, Jan. 28, 1947, two daughters at birth, Sept. 22, 1955 and June 25, 1958, three sons-in-law, John MacLellan (Helene), Wilfred Poirier (Norma) and Dale Vickers (Carol), grandson, Bruce Walker, Sept. 7, 2007, oldest son of Gilbert and Gloria.
We love you mom and grandma and will miss you very much.
A very special thank you to her angels (Cape Breton County Homemakers) who came to her home for personal care and sat with her when we had chores to do.
Visitation today (Monday), 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Francis Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anne Church, Alder Point, with Fr. Peter McLeod officiating. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bras d’Or.
Donations may be made to St. Joseph Cemetery Fund, St. Anne’s parish or a charity of choice.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to d.francis@ns.sympatico.ca.
