Obituaries

Velma MacDonald

It is with heavy hearts and deep love that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother (Nana), great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, Velma MacDonald (née Bates), who passed away peacefully at home on May 12, 2026. Velma was born on November 30, 1928, in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, to the late Patrick and Delena Bates. Velma is survived by her children: Colin (Denise), Creignish; Catherine (Duncan) Chisholm; A.G. (Collette); Terese (Al) Tracey; and Allan (Bonnie), all of Antigonish; daughter-in-law, Madonna MacFarlane; grandchildren Chelsy (Randy) MacEachern, Christie (Quinn) and Allister MacDonald (Lucas); Terese (Kevin MacDougall), Allison, Kate and RD Chisholm (Erin); Morgan (Jacklyn), Connor (Maggie), Emma and Marcus MacDonald and Luc Cote; Grant, Caralena (Jonathan), and Patti-Anne Tracey; Cynthia, Bryce, and Julia MacDonald; and great-grandchildren Rory, Tessa, Joey, Carmen, Rhylyn, Lydia, Alysen, and Natalia. She is survived by her brother Cyril (Dotty) Bates of Massachusetts, USA, along with cherished friends Joan MacIsaac, Marion Oicle, Shebby MacDonald, and Marie Cormier. Visitation was held May 14 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, Antigonish, with funeral Mass on May 15 in St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Arisaig, with Reverend Peter MacDonald and Reverend Danny MacLennan presiding. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Antigonish Palliative Care Society, VON Antigonish or the Antigonish Community Food Bank. Online condolences: www.MacIsaacs.ca.

Beverley Faye Manthorne

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Beverley Faye (Martin) Manthorne, on May 8, 2026. Born on May 4, 1946, in Country Harbour, Mom was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend to many. Mom dedicated most of her life to raising her children, Dwayne and Laurena, while being a loving and devoted wife to our dad, Carl. Her primary role was homemaker, and her greatest priority was always her family, who were her pride and joy. She also worked as a bookkeeper for the family business, Carl Manthorne Pulp Contracting Limited, and, later in life, for Country Harbour Sea Farms. Mom loved spending time with family and was rarely far from Dad’s side. Whether it was a drive “down shore”, out the “woods road” to look for deer, or a cross-Canada trip through to Alaska, she was happiest while being Dad’s co-pilot. She was gentle, loving, kind, and fun. Our home was always open to, and full of, family, friends, and even strangers Dad would bring home after meeting them in the woods while hunting or pulling their vehicles from ditches. She adored her grandchildren, Carla and Jessica, and her great-grandchildren, Payton and Rylee. Carla, Jessica and their young cousins and friends spent countless happy hours swimming in the pool, enjoying sleepovers, and making memories at the family camp. Besides our home, Mom’s happy places were Goose Island and the family camp at Gooseneck Lake in Guysborough County. She loved four-wheeling to the camp, fishing for trout, trolling for mackerel, tending her flower gardens, and lively card games with family and friends — games often filled with laughter and fierce competition. She was also known for making the best coconut cream pies and chocolate fudge cakes. Mom loved to dance and, even after recovering from a broken hip, was soon showing off her dance moves again, much to the delight of caregivers at the long-term care home where she spent her final years. Mom was small but mighty, and possessed incredible emotional and physical strength, as demonstrated by the years of lovingly providing care to Dad after he became ill. When she moved to long term care, she kept the employees on their toes with her strong-will and feisty attitude. After a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, Mom is finally at peace. She leaves behind her children, Dwayne (Heather) and Laurena (Jeff); grandchildren, Carla (Kirk) and Jessica (Jonathan); great-grandchildren, Payton and Rylee; siblings, Henry, Myrna, Fauline, Moira, Mardon, Darrell, and Gina; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents, Phyllis (Cooke) and Malcolm Martin, and her beloved husband, Carl. A celebration of life will be held at a later date under the direction of G.W. Giffin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, and in honour of the family’s love of animals, donations may be made to Hope for Wildlife by mail: Hope for Wildlife, 5909 Highway 207, Seaforth, Nova Scotia, B0J 2L0 or email: e-transfer@hopeforwildlife.net. Funeral arrangements are under the dignified and compassionate care of G.W. Giffin Funeral Home, 17545 Hwy 316, Country Harbour. Online condolences may be made at www.gwgiffin.com.

Rest in peace, Mom. We hope you and Dad are reunited once again for eternity.