Obituaries

Marie Elizabeth George

Marie George (Cohoon), 82, of Port Hawkesbury, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, in Antigonish, after a brief illness. She spent her final hours in the wonderful care of the staff at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and growing up in Canso, Marie was the daughter of Dave and Nina Cohoon, and proud sister of Greg, Theresa, Lawrence and Vince.

A military wife, Marie also lived in Gagetown, New Brunswick, and other towns in Nova Scotia, including Amherst, Halifax and Truro. During her husband’s frequent deployments, Marie dedicated herself to her home and children, where neatness and cleanliness—as well as fastidiously ironed clothing—were always the order of the day.

Those who knew Marie will remember above all her generosity; her creative and expert knitting (including caps for premature babies at IWK, christening gowns, sweaters, mittens and socks), crocheting, macramé and sewing (including Halloween costumes proudly worn by family and many, many friends); and her glorious flower gardens. She especially cherished the time she spent with her family and friends, as well as her dogs, Flip, Sandy, Katie and Heidi.

A great cook and baker, Marie was renowned for her old-fashioned molasses cookies. As teenagers, her children knew they could always bring home a friend, and everyone would be well fed. Even though she was increasingly unwell this past summer, she made more than 300 jars of pickles and preserves, much of which came from her garden and most of which was given away to family and friends.

Marie loved Christmas best of any holiday, insisting on wrapping every gift beautifully, no matter how small. Her family is grateful that she was able to enjoy her last Christmas at home in the company of her loved ones.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, James; and her brother, Lawrence. Other survivors, of whom she was immensely proud, are her son, Carey (Sue), a business owner; her daughter, Marlene (Richard), the head of her high school mathematics department; and her grandchildren, Lauren, Alexandra and James.

No burial service is planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Canso Lions Club. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com

Thomas “Tom” Haines

HAINES, Thomas, 90, of Little Dover, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in Eastern Memorial Hospital, Canso. Born in Little Dover, he was a son of the late Alfred and Katie (David) Haines.

Tom was a lifelong lobster fisherman, a trade that defined his character and his deep connection to the coast. His life on the water began as an early teen, fishing alongside his father and brothers. While his heart was always with the sea, he also served his community on land for many years, managing Blue Ribbon Seafoods until the early 1980s. At that time, he returned to lobster fishing full-time with his son, Darren. They worked as a team on the water until Tom finally retired at the age of 75.

Beyond the sea, Tom found great peace in the woods. He enjoyed rabbit snaring and the simple, quiet work of the forest, whether he was walking to check his snares or cutting wood for the winter with Darren. Known for a very steady calmness that was never altered, Tom moved through life with a quiet strength and a gentle spirit.

While he was a man of quiet nature, he and his beloved wife, Beattie, were also the heart of many social gatherings. In their earlier years, they were well known for throwing legendary parties. Their home was a place of music, laughter, and community, creating memories that family and neighbours in Little Dover still speak of today. Tom’s peaceful passing on New Year’s Eve came just in time for him to join his beloved Beattie for their first New Year’s celebration together in the sky.

Tom is now reunited with his wife of 51 years, Mary Beatrice “Beattie” (Boudreau), who predeceased him in 2013. He is survived by his devoted son, Darren, and daughter-in-law, Annette, Little Dover; his grandson, Bobby (Jennica), Coldbrook; and his cherished great-granddaughter, Grace Haines. He also leaves behind his siblings, Duf, Isabel, Manzer, Tean, and Garnet; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Besides his parents and his wife, Beattie, Tom was predeceased by his brothers, Lloyd, Malcolm, John, and Ronnie; and his sisters, Mandi, Leona, and Mag.

The family expresses their sincere thanks to Dr. Chris Milburn and the nursing staff of Eastern Memorial Hospital, Canso. A special thank you to home care nurses Bessie Dobson and Thelma Bond, as well as home support services, for the wonderful care provided to Tom while he resided at home over the last number of years.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held from 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in St. Agnes Parish Hall, Little Dover. A graveside service will be held in St. Agnes Parish Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Agnes Parish.

Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com

Marilyn (Horton) Keeble

November 17, 1942 – December 19, 2025

After a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer, Marilyn went to her rest on Friday, December 19, 2025, with family at her side.

Marilyn had a unique personality. Her quick wit and love for fun made her a magnet for friends, neighbours, and co-workers, as well as a favourite sister and aunt to her family.

Born in Canso on November 17, 1942, she was pre-deceased by her parents, Lloyd and Alverta (Burns) Horton, beloved husband Peter Keeble, brothers Sonny (Connie) and Arthur (Shirley) Horton, and sister Hazel (John) DeRabbie.

She is survived by her sisters, Ruby (Ross) Haverstock and Joyce (late Richard) Wasalasko; special cousin, Muriel (Francis) Lyons; nieces and nephews, and other extended family both here and in England.

Marilyn’s family would like to extend a special thank-you to all the palliative care staff on 7A in the Victoria General Hospital, and to her Kirkwood Court friends for their wonderful care and support.

There will be no visitation. A memorial service and interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Halton Aphasia Centre, 845 Harrington Court, Unit 200B, Burlington, ON, L6K 2H2, or online at https://app.kambeo.io/group/h-pcap.

Donna MacDonald

With heavy hearts, the family of Donna (Halliday) MacDonald of Guysborough, formerly of Sydney and Antigonish, and daughter of the late George and Kaye Halliday, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, in the Guysborough Memorial Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband Miles in 2022. Mom leaves their children, Lori, The Woodlands, Texas; Aaron, Guysborough; Joel (Michelle), New Westminster, BC. She is also survived by her five precious grandchildren, Ellie, Brad and Kate Salsman, The Woodlands, Texas; Callum and Chloe MacDonald, New Westminster, BC; and bonus grandson, Lucas, New Westminster, BC. Also surviving are her brother Bob (Cathy), Dartmouth; sister, Debbie (Nick), Sydney; and many wonderful, caring nieces and nephews. Mom was predeceased by her dear sisters, Karen and June and Georgina “Gina” and brother, Thomas, in infancy; niece, Deborah.

We would be amiss if we didn’t give mention to Mom’s special and wonderful friends over the years. She considered herself very fortunate to have had so many close friendships, from Sydney to Antigonish to Guysborough, where Mom and Dad lived since 1975. But her Guysborough friends got her through the many difficult days after our Dad passed in November 2022. They are extended family.

When reminiscing about her moving to Antigonish in June 1967, it became a constant playful banter between her and Dad about who followed who to Antigonish. Mom always said she went first, in June, to work at StFX and that Dad followed her in September to attend university, a fact he always playfully disputed. Mom knew, but as it doesn’t really matter, a little over a year later, they were married. She worked at StFX for over seven years, in the education department, but also had a position with then StFX President Father Malcolm MacDonell, until she had their firstborn, Lori. Two years later, they moved to Guysborough, where Mom said they were staying until Lori started school, hoping to return to Sydney at a later date to be close to family. And here she was, more than 50 years later, still living in Guysborough and, as it turned out, a wonderful warm and special community to raise a family.

Before Mom went back to work full-time, she spent two years subbing in Dr. Anita Foley’s office, a position she loved. Mom also worked for 21 years with the Strait Regional School Board, specifically at both Chedabucto Elementary and Guysborough Academy, waiting until the youngest in the family was in Grade 2 before returning to full-time work. She always said that, if possible, she wanted to stay home with the children and eventually hoped to return to work that would allow for school hours.

While Mom and Dad dearly loved their special Antigonish friends, who back in the day played Rummoli and Monopoly weekly, and later included their fun hockey parents who often tried to get Mom in trouble (S and D). She said she wants her Guysborough friends to have a girls’ night to celebrate their decades together, a special night that she said she won’t have to help make any preparations.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no wake. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. from Wesley United Church, Guysborough with Rev. Heather Manuel officiating. A reception will follow at the CLC. Mom suffered from pulmonary fibrosis for several years, caused by lupus. Burial will be in Hardwood Hill Cemetery in Sydney with Dad and next to her parents at a later date. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com

Myrtle Elizabeth “Lee” Rooney

Rooney, Myrtle Elizabeth “Lee”, 76 of Sherbrooke, Guysborough County, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. Born in Antigonish, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Jessie (McKeen) Lawson. Lee loved time spent with her family. In her earlier years, she was a hairdresser and later an interpreter at Historic Sherbrooke Village; both jobs she loved very much. She was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56, Sherbrooke. Lee enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She watched Coronation Street, enjoyed taking care of her planters of flowers. She liked lighthouses and collected anything with one on it. Lee is survived by her sons, Daniel (Tammy), Sudbury, ON; Travis (Aryn), Marathon, ON; Troy, Milford, Hants County; grandchildren, Kennedy, Avery, Irelynn, Lawson, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Finn, Memphis, Brantley; brothers, Archie (Judy) Lawson; Robert (Esther) Lawson; Bill (Erika) Lawson; sisters, Ann Asselin, Muriel Lawson, Sally (Jamie) Cunningham; former husband, Gordon Rooney; several nieces, nephews, and their families. Lee was predeceased by Daniel and Tammy’s daughter, MacKenzie. A funeral service will be held at a later date in Kirk Memorial United Church, Aspen, with Rev. Derek Elsworth officiating. Committal will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Aspen. Memorial donations may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gwgiffin.com.

Harry Brennen Ryan

1953 – 2025

My life has become history. What a journey it was. I was born in Inverness, Cape Breton, on November 01, 1953, to the family of Fred and Willena (Rouse) Ryan and joined my older brother, Gordon. Later on, we were blessed with a K-9 addition, Tippy.

I grew up in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, surrounded by much family, many cousins, and neighbourhood kids. I attended school with respectful and morally good classmates and graduated high school in Port Hawkesbury. I attended several educational institutions, including Strait Campus.

I went to work in a lab for Canadian General Electric, later Atomic Energy of Canada, surrounded by some of the finest people in that field. After the closure of A.E.C.L., I worked at numerous locations, both on the tools and supervising.

I met a beautiful young lady – Bernice. She didn’t like me at the time. I had to work on that. She did eventually agree to marry me in 1976. We moved to Linwood in 1978. Nice area, good people, lots of hunting, fishing, and gardening. We had four children: #1, #2, #3, and #4, or as Bernice calls them, Amanda DeLorey Ryan, Dawn Tracey (Darryl), Megan Bryan (Jason), and Brennen Ryan (Samantha). Against all odds, they survived our parenting and became productive members of society, later giving us eight strange but wonderful grandchildren. Their parents call them Luke, Kyla, Nevaeh, Alexander, Ireland, Emma, Harkin, and Sorin. Nature’s gift for keeping their parents alive.

Our family lives were permanently altered with the sudden death of our oldest daughter and nurse, Amanda. This was sadly followed shortly after by the passing of our devoted son-in-law, Darryl Tracey. I was also predeceased by my sister-in-law, Monica Ryan.

Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of my life will be held in the Monastery Fire Hall on Sunday, January 11, from 1-4 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to any children’s charity. In lieu of flowers, take a child fishing.

Online condolences: www.clcurry.com