Erna Dillon
Lieu de naissance : Grand Lake, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de naissance : 17 juin 1918
Lieu de décès : SYDNEY, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 29 mai 2009
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our mother, Erna Dillon, on May 29, 2009. As deeply as we mourn her loss, we more joyfully remember and celebrate the wonderful life she lived for almost 91 years.
Erna Sarah Lydia MacAulay Dillon was born on June 17, 1918 in Grand Lake, Cape Breton to Malcolm and Alma (Cann) MacAulay.
Grand Lake’s one room school, Sydney Academy (1935) and Normal College (Teaching, 1937) provided Erna’s formal education. She became the new school teacher in Round Island, boarding with the Dillon family and there met the Dillons’ eldest son, Wilfred. Wilfred and Erna were married in 1940 and settled in Sydney to eventually welcome their son, Robert.
Although the war temporarily took Erna and Wilfred to Saint John, N.B., Erna’s life was absorbed as wife to Wilfred, mother to five children, grandmother to eight grandchildren and eventually two great-grandchildren. Cromarty Street was home for over 50 years with children, friends, and family coming and going, chocolate chip cookies never let to cool, and tea on the stove. Despite her busy family, Erna enjoyed involvement in St. Andrew’s United Church and its UCW, as well as the Cape Breton Rug Hookers. Her lifelong friends from “Club†provided much laughter and support as did many close neighbours, in mostly happy times, but inevitably, some sad. Even these she survived to show the strength of character we all associate with her. Erna was a reader, lover of poetry and music, a francophone, dancer, but most of all a mother and teacher.
During the past few years, Erna’s health deteriorated as a result of Alzheimer’s, but she had a wonderful home with Carter’s Senior Care in Dartmouth. Special appreciation is expressed to Robin Carter and Mary Ann MacKenzie, Brittany, Leanne, and Candice for their patience and attention to her comfort and their true compassion and affection.
Erna was predeceased by her parents; son, Robert (1969); husband, Wilfred (1998); and brother, Lloyd (1987).
She is survived by her daughters, Maureen Buchanan (Gordon), Dartmouth, Sheila MacAulay (Edward), Truro, Ruth Rose (Doug), Dartmouth, and Lois Dillon (Barry Turner), Bedford; grandchildren, Jyl (Chuck), Karey (Eric), Christy, Andrew, Rebecca, Catherine, Matthew, Laura; great- grandchildren, Justin and Alex; sister -in-law, Pearl MacAulay and many special nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s United Church, its UCW, or a charity of choice.
Visitation will take place on Thursday June 4, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Sydney Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church. Burial will be in Oakfield Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
