The passing of Pauline Violet Christie, 87, formerly of Salmon River, occurred on Wednesday afternoon, January 5, 2011 at Williams' Country Homes in Hilden following an extended period of declining health with her daughter Carol, Wayne and two of her caregivers, Donna and Nicole by her side.
Born in Upper Stewiacke NS, on February 19, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Lillian (Taylor) Butcher. Having spent her married life in Salmon River, Col. Co., her move from there in October 2005 brought an end to well over 150 years of residency in the community by the Christie family. Pauline was a long time member of the First United Church in Truro, where she was involved in various church groups through the years. She was a former volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association where she was the recipient of several awards recognizing her efforts. After working in retail for many years, Pauline opened her own beauty salon which she operated successfully for over 30 years and where many lasting friendships were formed.. She was the hairdresser for the Mattatall Funeral Home in Truro during much of that time.
Pauline will be remembered as a very giving and generous person. She worked so hard all her life and was very proud of the property she and Willis tended so lovingly in Salmon River. Some of her favorite things over the years included her flowers , music, dancing, bowling, trying her hand at various crafts, traveling to the Bahamas, Hawaii and Barbados with Carol, helping Willis with his ponies, reading, bingo, scratch tickets, word jumble and crypto quote.
She is survived by her only child, Carol Backman (Wayne McMillan), North River; sisters, Mabel Holman, Helen Carvill, Norma (Norman) Cormier and brother Donald, all of Ontario; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Willis in 2001; brothers, Frank and Wilfred; sisters, Jean Hardy, Gertrude Burnett, Pearl Metlin and their spouses; brothers-in-law, Lea Holman, Robert (Pat) Carvill; sisters-in-law, Myrtle, Jean and Jessie; also Willis' parents, Richard and Viola Christie and his sisters, Audrey, Avis, Marion and June. There will be no visitation by request. Funeral service will be held 2pm Sunday, January 9, in the Mattatall ~ Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street Truro, with Rev. Roger Moore officiating. She will be interred beside Willis in the Crossroads Cemetery in Valley at a later date. If so desired, donations in her memory may be made to the Riverside Cemetery in Upper Stewiacke or the Canadian Diabetes Association of Nova Scotia. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting the "guest book" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com