Wilma Balah, RN
Lieu de naissance : SYDNEY, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Lieu de décès : North Sydney, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 12 novembre 2011
A family’s history is wrapped up in the heart of their mother, the source of the world’s most profound love.
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Catherine Wilma Balah, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born in Sydney, Wilma was the daughter of the late Martin and Nora (Hart) Gillis.
She graduated in 1947 from Halifax Infirmary School of Nursing. She worked in Boston at Beth Israel Hospital before returning to North Sydney to work at St. Elizabeth Hospital until her retirement.
Wilma’s greatest joy was the time spent with her husband Lloyd, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. Her remarkable sense of family and kindness was engendered by her loving parents, as well as her strong bond with her brothers and sisters.
Wilma was a woman whose quiet, gentle strength helped shape the lives of her family and friends. A kind and devoted nurse, Wilma’s life calling was in the helping of others which she did peacefully and with incredible grace.
In later life, Wilma cherished her time with her husband, Lloyd, editing his book “Stories of a River.” She was an avid gardener and reader and enjoyed knitting, making lovely gifts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Especially important to her were her daily walks with Lloyd and her dear sister Rosaire. She was blessed to have the ever faithful support of her children, especially her son Lloyd Jr. Wilma was a woman who brought joy and grace to the world and her legacy will be forever continued in the hearts of her family members.
Wilma was a devout member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney.
Wilma is survived by her loving husband, Lloyd Balah; her five daughters, Theresa (Alan) MacLeod, Sydney, Cathy (Daniel Fraser), Alder Point, Rosanne (Mike) Speckert, Helen (Joe) Felstein, both of Newmarket, Ont., Noreen (Steven Stewart), Alymer, Que.; her four sons, David (Nancy), Sydney Mines, Martin (Kathy), St. Catharines, Ont., Gerard (Patricia), Newmarket, and Lloyd, at home; 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; her brothers, Rev. Joseph Gillis, Big Pond, Barry (Camie) Gillis, Ron (Nita) Gillis, both of North Sydney; her sisters, Rosaire (John) Young, North Sydney, Jeannie (Urs) Schweizer, Brooks, Alta., Florence (Allan) Gillis and Bernadette MacDougall, both of Antigonish; and also numerous nieces and nephews.
Wilma was predeceased by sisters, Mary Gillis and Ann Regina Gillis in infancy, brothers-in-law, Charles MacDougall and Leroy MacDonald.
Visitation for Wilma will be held from 7-9 p.m., Tuesday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m., Thursday at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney, with Rev. Joe Gillis and Rev. Martin MacDougall officiating. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Church Improvement Fund.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
“Sleep softly mother in the light of our Lord”
