RIVERTON – Mary Leitha Horne (Retired Sgt. RCMP), age 50 years, of Riverton, NS, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2013, in the Aberdeen Hospital.
Born February 25, 1963, in New Glasgow, she was the only child of the late Frederick Neil and Anna Catheryn (MacKenzie) Horne.
She was predeceased by her grandparents, Alexander Franklin MacKenzie and Isabel Mary (Irving) MacKenzie; Thomas and Leitha Amy (Sutherland) Horne.
She is survived by her loving companion, Carol McLeod. Mary will be missed by several cousins both in Canada and USA and also by her “Big Brothers”, Hal and (Elaine) Forrest, Harold and (Valerie) O’Connell and Michael Russell; as well as many friends she made during her service with the RCMP. Mary will be sadly missed by her “4-legged babies” Zack and Caleigh.
She attended various schools and graduated from West Pictou District High School in 1981. She played softball and ringette for various teams in Pictou County. Mary Leitha worked at the Dairy Queen and became the Assistant Manager while waiting to join the RCMP. Mary Leitha achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a member of the RCMP on January 17, 1986. She proudly served the organization for over 26 years, retiring in April 2012 and moving back to Riverton, Nova Scotia. During her career she served in “N” Division, (Ottawa); “B” Div. (Stephenville, NF); “O” Div. Ontario; “H” Div. (Bible Hill), Halifax; and finally at National Head Quarters (Ottawa). She conducted investigations throughout USA and Canada as well as internationally. Her investigations took her to Trinidad, Mexico, Philippines, England, Hong Kong, Israel, and Jamaica. She worked in every province except “M” Div. (Yukon) and “V” Div. (Iqaluit). She had strong work ethic, determination and tenacity, all developed from growing up on the farm. She will be remembered for her perseverance and getting the job done, as well as for doing the right thing no matter what the consequences.
Her passions in life were gardening, travelling, wildlife photography, cooking, entertaining friends and spending time at her cottage in Caribou River. She loved all animals, and the wild birds which visited the yard in Riverton. She treasured her “winter vacations” to various sunny destinations with friends. She was a member of the Westville Chapter #24 OES, receiving her 25 year pin in 2006. She received her 25 yr. Long Service Medal from the RCMP as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for outstanding service to the community and Canada in 2013.
Special thanks to Dr.’s MacLean, Craig, Farrell, for their care during her illness. Also thanks to the “special angels” of the Oncology unit at the Aberdeen Hospital, Joanne, Alice, Bonnie, Ann, Cassidy and Kim, for their exceptional care and compassion during her treatments.
Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday in the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service 2 p.m. Tuesday in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, New Glasgow, with Rev. Richard Sand and Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. Burial will be in Lorne Street Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Westville Chapter # 24 Order of the Eastern Star will meet at the funeral home at 6:30 pm Monday to conduct their service. Condolences may be sent by visiting: www.rhporter.ca
“We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.”