It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Alma Jean (Evans) (Stilwell) Melanson on December 17, 2014 after stoically living with cancer for the last year. Thanks to the care of her loving family and many dedicated health care professionals, she was able to spend her last days at home in Lower Sackville, N.S. where she had spent many a day swiffering floors, spoiling her animals and tending to her lush flower gardens. Affectionately known as "Al" "Allie" "Allie Bean" or "Nanny Al", she was born on February 17, 1926 to the late Janet and Harold Evans. Raised in St. John's, NL, she eventually settled in Saint John, NB with her first husband Hazen to start their family. After Hazen was taken at an early age, also from cancer, she met and married Joseph (Mike) Melanson. In her later years, She returned to live with her extended family in St. John's before eventually landing in Lower Sackville to spend her remaining years with her son and his family. Besides her family her greatest enjoyments in life were gardening and maintaining an immaculate home, tasks for which she had boundless energy. She was an animal lover and had a natural way with them and they were drawn to her in return. She was also a life-long care giver, having nursed two husbands and her sister Agnes through their battles with cancer. She then put her skills to work caring for her mother until she eventually passed away at age 98. She is survived by her only son David (Lona) Stilwell; grandson Chris (Cynthia) Stilwell; beloved great grandchildren Andrew, Hannah and Ethan; cherished sister Louise Dickens; many special nieces and nephews; and her four-legged children Mickey and BooBoo who she spoiled endlessly. She was predeceased by her first husband Hazen Stilwell; second husband Joseph Melanson; sisters Agnes Grimes and Nina Goller. Cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial service on Monday December 22 at 4:30 pm at St. Francis by the Lakes Anglican Church, 192 First Lake Drive in Lower Sackville. Archdeacon Mark Kingsbury presiding. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to 'Bide Awhile Animal Shelter' in Dartmouth. Many thanks to the doctors, nurses and health care workers who were such an enormous source of support during her final journey. The compassionate care she received will never be forgotten. Special thanks to grand-daughter-in-law Cynthia whose expertise and constant involvement was very much appreciated and to Barb Stewart from the palliative care team for expertly guiding us through these last weeks.