O’CONNELL, Leota Kathleen - 81, of Evergreen Home for Special Care, Kentville, passed away Friday, February 18, 2011 in the home. Born in Steam Mill, Kings County, she was a daughter of the late Barry and Margaret (Mahar) Harvey. In her earlier years, Leota had been employed as an assistant dietician at The Birches in Wolfville, but her true life’s work was her family as well as being a foster parent to over 300 children. She loved the arts; especially music and drawing. During her years at Evergreen Home for Special Care, she was a real social butterfly who embraced all of the activities and opportunities offered there. She is survived by three daughters, Sheila (Mack) Frail, Centreville; Kathryn O’Connell, Bethel, Prince Edward Island; Linda (Kevin) McMurrer, Bonshaw, Prince Edward Island; seven sons, Roland (Carol), New Minas; Donald (Louise), Pleasant Grove, Prince Edward Island; Douglas (Trudy), Centreville; Paul (Louise), Moncton, New Brunswick; Michael (Vivian) West Brooklyn; Peter (Rosa), Kentville; Stephen, Nictaux; two sisters, Eleanor (Earl) Haggerty, Centreville; Joan (Lawrence) Arenburg, Steam Mill; three brothers, James (Berneda), Coldbrook; George (Jane), New Minas; Maurice (Florence), Kentville; 29 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Ethel and Gwendolyn as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald; four brothers, Clyde, Kenneth (Rose), Robert and Gordon; a sister-in-law, Lillian Keddy. Visitation was held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 in the New Minas Baptist Church, New Minas, where the funeral service, followed by a reception, was held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Reverend Sterling Gosman officiating. Burial took place in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in memory may be made to Evergreen Home for Special Care, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or the Canadian Cancer Society. A special thank-you to the nurses and staff of Evergreen Home for Special Care for the love and care given to Leota. She considered you her second family. The family would also appreciate a scent-free environment during the visitation and funeral service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com