Obituaries
Richard Earl Dunbar
1941 – 2025
Dunbar, Richard Earl, 84, St. Joseph’s, Antigonish County, passed away December 18, 2025 at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home.
Born in Pugwash, he was the son of the late Leroy and Ada (Kavanaugh) Dunbar.
Richard was known as a hard-working and easy-going surveyor. He loved fishing, hunting, trapping and being in the woods, but most of all he loved his family.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary (MacKenzie), R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home; children: Paul (Millie), Purl Brook; Anita, Glen Road; Brenda, Hamilton, ON; Troy, Glen Road; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Hope MacDonald, Glen Road, and Joan MacIsaac, Dartmouth.
He was predeceased by brothers, Lee and Cyril and sisters, Shirley and Marilyn.
As per Richard’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Burial will be at a later date.
Donations in memory may be made to the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home Foundation.
Arrangements under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish.
Deborah “Debbi” Diane Fitzgerald
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Deborah “Debbi” Diane Fitzgerald at her home in Queensport, Nova Scotia, on December 13, 2025.
Born September 2, 1955, in Halifax, Nova Scotia to the late Jim and Joan Sorrell, Debbi lived a life filled with colour, music and laughter. She loved her family, friends, art, books and dogs fiercely.
After graduating from NSCC’s nursing assistant program, Debbi started the first decade of her career providing care to others. However, a deep love for art led Debbi to work tirelessly to turn her hobby into a professional passion. A self-taught artist of 30-plus years, Debbi expanded her skills from pencil sketches to artworks of Conté sticks, charcoal, water colour, acrylic, pastels, oil paint and even digital art.
Debbi enjoyed learning many forms and styles of art as well as sharing her passion and skills with others. She was a member of many art communities, including the Manitoba Arts Network and the local Artworks East in Guysborough. During her time abroad in the UK, among many things, she volunteered at St. Edmunds College as a volunteer artist, sharing her skills with the students. Over the years as an artist, Debbi was the recipient of many awards and commendations. Her remarkable skills led to significant commissions in different mediums and styles of art.
Inspired by her family and the world around her, she found her perfect match when she met Jim; a local teacher and artist who expressed his creativity through music. Together, their home was less a house and more a living gallery filled with art and music. Debbie was an amazing person who was always positive, never complained, and was quick to tell a joke. Her ability to find beauty and hope each and every day made her an unforgettable person.
Debbi is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Jim; her two children, Shawn (Natalie) and Sarah (Alberto); sister, Jodi (Auss); and brother, Jim. She was predeceased by her son, David. Debbi is grandmother to three granddaughters and one grandson: Ashley, Rianne, Rebecca and Lucas.
A celebration of life will be held at a date to be decided.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
“Though her easel stands empty, her vibrant spirit lives on in every brushstroke she left behind”
Grant Lawson Hayden
1947 – 2025
Our Dad passed away peacefully December 21, 2025, where he eagerly went to join our mother, Geraldine, in Heaven.
Born June 1, 1947, he was the son of the late Everett and Levina Mae Hayden. Dad grew up on the family farm in his beloved Manchester overlooking Chedabucto Bay.
He was raised alongside five sisters: the late Shirley (Fred) Clark, Pearl (late Dave) Logan, the late Ruth Hayden, Ruby (Dan) Dugay, and Grace (Sandy) Murray.
His sisters helped him “uphill both ways” to school but struggled to keep him from skipping classes to work in the woods with his cousin, Kenny. Grant graduated from Maritime Ranger School, served with the government, and is famous for his humour and storytelling while working 25 years in Stora’s forestry operations. Grant was a faithful member of Goshen Gospel and kept a strong grip on his faith, generosity, and love of hard work.
He was a devoted husband to his late wife, Geraldine (nee Simpson), whom he always called “his Gerry.” He was a kind and loving father to Heather (Allan) Cameron and Edmund (Kate), and he adored his granddaughter, Sadie.
We thank the staff at the Maples Supportive Living, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital (alternative life care unit), and the Dartmouth General Hospital.
Visitation was held December 27 at the Boylston Community Centre. Funeral service was held December 28 at the Boylston United Church with Pastor John Luten officiating. Burial followed in the Manchester and Area Cemetery.
In memoriam, donations to Boylston Community Center or Manchester and Area Cemetery appreciated.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
Dr. Mary Hurst (MacInnis)
1940 – 2025
Hurst, Dr. Mary (MacInnis), 85, of Antigonish, passed away on December 28, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Alice and Colin MacInnis of Antigonish.
Dr. Hurst began her career as an X-ray technician, spending two years in Africa helping to establish a hospital before returning to Nova Scotia to earn her dental degree from Dalhousie University. Over more than four decades, she practiced in Antigonish and Guysborough, providing pediatric dentistry at St. Martha’s Hospital, caring for seniors in nursing homes, and volunteering on dental missions to Guatemala.
Dr. Hurst was predeceased by her husband Donald (2013), infant daughters Monica and Kanena, and several siblings. She is survived by sons Jason (Tammy Holley) and Sandy (Clara); grandchildren Molly, Alec, Emily, and Lauren; siblings Mabel, Barry, and Evey; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place at C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish, Friday, January 2, 2–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at St. Ninian’s Cathedral, Saturday, January 3, 11 a.m. Family flowers only. Donations to St. Martha’s Hospital Foundation (palliative care) or Antigonish Town and County Palliative Care Society.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
Lillian Marlene Sampson
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lillian Marlene Sampson, 62, of Frankville, Antigonish County, which occurred on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital.
Lillian was born in Antigonish on December 11, 1963, she was a daughter of Lois (Ehler) Hendsbee and the late Herman Hendsbee. She worked as a waitress, dog groomer, baker, just to name a few. And she was a loving and doting grandmother.
Besides her mother, Lois Dubuc, she is survived by her son, Terry; sister, Sharon Leah (Hendsbee) (Jim) Pelrine; nieces and nephews, Joanne Munroe, Joey Munroe, Melissa (Munroe) Hadley; her precious grandchildren, Haylan and Ryker. She will be dearly missed by her four-legged feline pal, “Bob”.
She was predeceased by her dad; sisters, Carol Anne Victoria (Hendsbee) Stevenson and Diane Faye (Hendsbee) Ronalds.
There will be no visitation or service as per Lillian’s request. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
