Margaret Rose
Date de décès : 19 mai 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Margaret Rose, beloved Mother and Nanny. Margaret passed away peacefully at Northwood’s Ivany Place in Bedford, her home for the past 3 years, on May 19, 2019. She and Enos, her husband of 66 years, are together again, in love and holding hands forever.
Born and raised in Whitney Pier, August 1, 1929 to Bessie (Stevenson) and George Mollon, Margaret enjoyed many years of worship at St. Alban’s Anglican Church. Once married, she and Enos moved to Sydney River where they raised their family, living in the three different homes Enos built. Family worship was at St. Mark’s in Coxheath until its closure; Margaret and Enos then attended Christ Church, eventually returning to Margaret’s roots at St. Alban’s. In later life, they lived at Williston House assisted living apartments in Sydney before moving to Bedford. There, Margaret lived at Ivany Place, a short drive from Enos who resided with their daughter's family and visited Margaret daily until his passing.
As a young adult Margaret worked in business administration until making a career change to stay-at-home mom. Although she completed her studies at Cape Breton Business College when her youngest child was a toddler, she ultimately decided that her role as a mother was her priority.
An avid cook and baker, Margaret filled her home with the sweet scents of homemade bread, deep-fried doughnuts, blueberry grunt, spice krinkles and boiled and turkey dinners. Many of her ingredients were compliments of Enos’s abundant garden, which made her kitchen all the more sweet. As adults, visitors were always welcome to raid her preserve pantry where her sweet million-dollar-relish was the grand prize. Neighbourhood children also enjoyed the frozen cookies and squares that stocked her freezer and knew that a Halloween stop at 46 Philip St. was a must. That’s where the fudge lady lived.
Margaret’s other passions included knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, beading and rug making. She was a perfectionist who truly appreciated the importance of tight and even stitches. If it wasn’t perfect, it was taken apart only to start over again. She made countless baked goods and crafts for St. Mark’s fundraising activities, so others were lucky to also enjoy her many talents.
Margaret had a quick sense of humour—something her dementia never stole from her. Ivany Place staff often commented that she had a “comeback” for everything, with an occasional “stink eye.” Good old-fashioned banter with Margaret was such fun, more so as she always got the last word. She loved CBC radio and surrounded her children with the day’s classical music selection during kitchen table homework. She loved hymns, and in recent years enjoyed listening to daughter Michele play for her and her new friends at the Ivany Place Chapel.
Margaret was a grammar geek with a vast vocabulary. She often reminded (or reprimanded) those wielding a double negative, and she cringed when she heard a preposition at the end of a sentence. Road trips often involved a game of “spell that place name.” Musquodoboit, Tatamagouche, Shubenacadie, L’ardoise … her family came to know them all. She was also a math geek with quick mental calculations second to none. Obviously, she was a great help to her children with their studies. Two of them inherited her math skills, and two did not (who is who will remain a secret amongst siblings).
Margaret was predeceased by husband, Enos Rose in August 2018. She was also predeceased by their third-born daughter, Judith Raylene; Margaret’s parents, Bessie and George Mollon; mother and father-in-law, Charity and Hibbert Rose; sister, Evelyn Goodman; brothers, Les, Bill and Raymond Mollon; brother-in-law, Wilbert Goodman; sister-in-law, Joan (Morrison) Mollon, and son-in-law, Peter Cotter.
Margaret is survived by her children, Elaine Cotter, Diane MacLean (Wallace), Brent Rose (Joy Johnston), Michele Cooke (Michael); grandchildren, Ryan MacLean (David Phillips), Douglas MacLean (Kate), Jess Gerrow (Michael), Jeremy Cooke, Jordan Rose, Charity Cooke (Brett Campbell); great-granddaughters, Aime and Stephanie Phillips-MacLean and Piper Rose MacLean; sister-in-law, May Mollon (Les), and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the dedicated Ivany Place staff, especially those in Bluenose Cove. Working with the elderly is truly a calling. Margaret was blessed to experience such loving care. Her family are forever grateful.
A viewing will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. The funeral service will take place at St. Alban’s Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 24 with Rev. Brenda Drake officiating. Refreshments and fellowship in St. Alban’s Church hall will immediately follow the service. Margaret and Enos will be laid to rest with their infant daughter Judith at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 at Hardwood Hill Cemetery with Rev. Brenda Drake as officiant.
Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of NS, St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Camp Bretondean in Mira, or any charity that speaks to your heart.
Until we meet again, Mom
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or emailed to sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
