Gabriel, Walter - 95 yrs
The Cape Breton Post, May 07, 2020 Thursday
It is with great sadness we announce our father's passing on May 5, 2020. He died in the home he built and lived in since 1949. Dad was born in Sydney, NS on December 28, 1924 and his family returned to NFLD, where they had originated. Dad was brought up in Cornerbrook, NFLD. His family returned to Sydney again to work at the steel plant. Dad's first job was at the age of seven running movies from one theatre to another in Cornerbrook, at age of eleven he delivered groceries with a horse and cart, when he returned to Sydney and worked at Brookfield Dairy, Chappells Building Supplies and Sydney Steel Plant from where he retired after 42 years.

Dad joined the army at age 17. He lied about his age to join the Canadian Army and turned 18 while training in England. He landed with his comrades on Juno Beach on D-Day with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He fought with his comrades at the Battle of the Scheldt and at the Nijmegen Bridge and Caen to name a few. He helped to liberate the Netherlands and fought from the beach at Normandy into Belgium, Holland and Germany. His was the largest number from any family in Canada to serve during the Second World War, seven brothers.

Dad was a good man, a dependable provider and a man of good humour. He loved to laugh and told many good jokes. He loved company, friends and most of all family. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Fred and Eliza (Youden) Gabriel; his brothers, Fred, Bill, Harold, Bert, Prescott, Gordon and Albert; his wife, Gennie (Canning), and infant son, Gary. He is survived by his children, Ron (Donna), Jeannie, Christine (Eric) Rideout, Paulette (the late Carl) Krasowski; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Dad was a man of respect and integrity and had a heart of gold, never saying an unkind word about anyone.

I, Paulette, was fortunate to spend his last days with him here in his own home. These are the days I will treasure and hold deep in my heart. Dad's wishes will be fulfilled. He will be cremated, and Catholic Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa Church, Sydney, NS at a later date. He will rest with mom and his son Gary at Holy Cross Cemetery, Sydney, NS. In lieu of flowers we ask that you do a kind deed or say something nice to someone in his memory. When asked once what was the worst thing he saw during the war, he said, the starving children. That says it all about Dad's character. Our family would like to thank Dr. Glen Worth, Dr. George Burns, Jackie Brake and staff of CBRH Palliative Care, VON, EHS Sydney, Home Instead Senior Care especially Chris, Kathleen and Ramandeep, Shoppers Drug Mart, Lawtons Drugs, and Harding Medical. Words of condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.com

Kennedy, Nathen Reginald - 86 YRS
The Cape Breton Post, May 07, 2020 Thursday
The sun got a little cooler, its light a little dimmer, as the world said goodbye to Nathen Reginald Kennedy, 86, of Sydney on Saturday, May 2, 2020. Nathen was born on August 4, 1933 in Corner Brook, Newfoundland to his parents Clarence and Rachel (Yetman) Kennedy. He worked 43 years for National Sea Products in Louisbourg, following that he managed Louisbourg Seafoods for 9 years. Nathen is survived by children, Suzanne (Jamie Nimchuk), Derrick (Lisa), Allen (Darlene), Ronnie (Debbie), Jim (Lori), and Cathy; 18 grandchildren. In addition to his grandchildren, he is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Aside from children and grandchildren, Nathen is also survived by sister, Isabel Kennedy; former spouse, dear friend, and mother of his six children, Laura Kennedy, and long-term partner, Sharon Magee. Besides his parents, Nathen was predeceased by his brothers, Clarence, Tom, Max, Raymond, Andrew, Rendall and Bramwell; sister, Janie; and son-in-law, Francis. Nathen was a very selfless man, with a heart of gold. He loved fishing, travel, the Christmas season, and spending quality time with his grandchildren. Cremation has taken place and a funeral will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Nathen can be made to the Alzheimer's Society. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.

KEOUGH, Sister Susan (Sister Mary Gerald)
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, May 7, 2020
Age 93, formerly Sister Mary Gerald, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Martha Place, Parkland Antigonish on May 5, 2020 in the 67th year of her religious life. Born in Plate Cove, N.L., Sister Susan was one of seven children of the late William and Johanna (Philpott) Keough. Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha on August 15, 1951, pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1953 and her perpetual profession of vows on August 15, 1957. After her profession of vows, Sister Susan began her ministry of homemaking, in which she shared and developed a great variety of gifts. Sister Susan spent most of her years ministering in various institutions operated by the Congregation and in the local Convents and Communities. In Antigonish, she served at Bethany; St. Martha's Hospital; the Bishop's residence; St. Francis Xavier University; the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home; and St. Andrews. In Cape Breton, Sister Susan ministered in St. Peter's; Dingwall; Bras D'Or; Sydney. She also served at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto, and St. Martha's Catholic Centre in Boston. Sister Susan approached life with a practicality and resourcefulness that was honed by her ministry of homemaking. She shared her gift of creativity in her cooking, sewing, and in the care she took to decorate for feast days and other celebrations.

She had a love of nature and enjoyed taking walks until her health made that difficult. A keen and avid reader, Sister Susan could always be counted on to be up to date and informed about a wide range of topics, this was especially evident in the time she spent working at the library in Bethany. She is survived by her brother, Joseph; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by brothers, Thomas, Richard, William, and James; and by her sister, Alma.

The burial will take place in the private cemetery of the Sisters of St. Martha following the recommendations and procedures required during this time of COVID-19. A Memorial Mass, and celebration of her life will be held at a later date once the doors to Parkland Antigonish can be open to guests. Arrangements are under the direction of C.L Curry Funeral Services of Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com

LAWRENCE, Mary Rowetta
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, May 15, 2020
It is with great sadness that the family of the late Mary Rowetta Lawrence announce her passing, peacefully at home in Beaver Bank, with her family surrounding her on May 13, 2020, at the age of 82 years. Born in St. Anthony, N.L., on October 31, 1938, Rowetta was a daughter of the late Cyril and Fanny (Bessey) Cooper. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, John; she will be sadly missed by her children, Beverly (Alan) Johnson, Middle Sackville; Derek (Colette) Lawrence, Lower Sackville, Brent Lawrence, Vancouver, B.C.; Trudy (Peter) Valentine, Hammonds Plains; Todd (Christy) Lawrence, Red Deer, Alta.; and Nadine (Vaughn) Munden, Beaver Bank; grandchildren, Aaron, Jonathan, Mark, Noelle, Hannah, Carter, Benjamin and Matthew; great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Roetta; sisters, Judith (David) Ley and Katherine (Frank) Carter; sisters-in-law, Mary Cooper and Daphne Cooper; plus a large circle of nieces and nephews and friends. We would like to say thank you to Pastor Borden Scott at Faith Baptist Church and Rowetta's church family for all the love, support and prayers. A special thanks to Dr. Krista Thompson, the QEII Palliative Care team and the VON for the excellent care they provided her. Cremation has taken place under the care of Maritime Cremation Centre. A Celebration of Life to honour Rowetta will be held at a later date. Donations in memory can be made to World Vision Canada or her church's charities at Faith Baptist Church, Lower Sackville. Words of comfort to her family can be left on her tribute wall by visiting: www.maritimecremation.ca

Marche, Roderick Francis, Sydney Mines - 90 yrs
The Cape Breton Post, May 12, 2020 Tuesday
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Roderick Francis Marche on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Miner's Memorial Manor, with his loving family by his side. Born in Port aux Port on July 12,1929, he was the son of the late James and Edith (Prado) Marche. His passions were with autobody mechanics, as he was employed with Mike Steele's Irving, Iannetti Brothers, H. B. Nickerson, and the Town of Sydney Mines. Roddie enjoyed family, friends, helping anyone who needed his help, camping, travelling the Atlantic Provinces, and most of all, Newfoundland.

Roddie is survived by his son, Wayne, and daughter, Sharon MacDougall (formerly Burton). He is also survived by grandson, Marc (Jaclyn) and their daughters Olivia, Harlow and Harper, his granddaughter, Carolyn, and grandson, Wayne Michael and his son Ethan; his brother, Gilbert, and sisters, Shirley, Joan and Sadie, also many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Roddie was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Thora (Harvey); son, Boyde; great-grandson, baby Owen Burton; sister, Rona, and brothers, Ricky, Joe and Seanie. The family would like to thank Dr. Doug Kolhsmith and the staff at Miner's Memorial Manor for the professional, compassionate care that was given to our father.

Cremation has taken place. A funeral Mass to celebrate the life of Roddie Marche will take place at a later date. Donations in Roddie's memory may be made to the Feral and Abandoned Cat Society, PO Box 85, 269 Charlotte St., Sydney, NS, B1P 6G9. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com

Stevens, Anastasia, Glace Bay - 101yrs
The Cape Breton Post, May 16, 2020
Anastasia Stevens, age 101 passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney. Born in Codroy Valley, NL, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Henrietta (MacIsaac) MacArthur. Anastasia was a member of the Glace Bay Baptist Church. She was a loving homemaker; family was always her top priority. She was always a very active woman, she enjoyed painting, mowing the grass, walking, doing yard work and shovelling snow while in her 80's. Anastasia was an avid card player and Montreal Canadiens and Blue Jays fan.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Anastasia is survived by her daughter, Eileen Melnick and her son, Ernie Stevens; 5 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren, especially Kenneth and Tyler; sister-in-law, Frances MacArthur and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Anastasia was predeceased by her husband, Ernest David Stevens in 1992; two sisters, Mary and Loretta; one brother, Gerald and her son-in-law, Eddie Melnick.

A private family visitation will be held in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Cremation & Reception Center, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. Interment in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. The family wish to thank Harbourstone Enhanced Care for their compassion. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca