SELICA MESHER (BATES)
Born In: NEW WATERFORD, Nova Scotia
Born: August 19th, 1919
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia
Passed on: December 16th, 2016
Selica Mesher (née Bates), age 97, born in New Waterford August 19th, 1919, died peacefully at Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney on December 16th, 2016. She was the eldest child of Patrick and Dolina Bates. Selica was predeceased by her husband, Robert William in 2006. She is survived by her three children, Anne (Fraser Kennedy), Bob (Pauline MacPherson) and Madonna (David Nalepa) all of whom reside in Catalone. She is survived by her siblings, Patricia MacDonald, Velma MacDonald (Allister), Anna Hines and Cyril Bates (Dorothy MacKenzie). She will be fondly remembered by her large extended family, including her 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and three generations of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Alphonsus Bates and her sisters, Dolly McNeil and Theresa Lulik.
Selica, a school teacher, taught for many years in several Cape Breton communities including Mill Creek, Main-A-Dieu, Catalone, and New Waterford. She was also a longtime member of the Main-A-Dieu CWL and crafters group. A devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Selica’s greatest self-proclaimed accomplishment was to see her grandchildren grow to adulthood and start families of their own. Selica shared her love of music, genealogy, and sewing with her family. She thoroughly enjoyed the grandchildren's piano and violin concerts, and often participated in musical duets with them. She developed her love of genealogy after retiring, and travelled to Ireland several times to visit with the Bates family. She was very skilled at making family connections wherever she met with people, as her recollection of names and family ancestry was quite remarkable. She was often sought out by those interested in tracing their own family genealogy. Selica was a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed sewing for her family, having made several wedding dresses and many a Halloween costume. Selica always spoke fondly about her love of Catalone, having spent summers swimming there as a child, making it her permanent home in 1954. In later years, she was an enduring fixture at the beach whenever any of the grandchildren were home. She especially enjoyed taxiing her great-grandchildren around on her golf cart. Her life and legacy will be celebrated at a service next summer.
We wish to thank all the staff at Parkland and Harbourstone for their devoted care. Cremation has taken place. Funeral arrangements to follow. Donations on her behalf can be made to the Main-a Dieu Coastal Discovery Centre, www.coastaldiscoverycentre.ca, 2886 Louisbourg Main-a-Dieu Rd., Main-a-Dieu, Nova Scotia, B1C 1V9. tel:902-733-2258.
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