Esther Collicott

With sadness, we announce that Esther (Hardiman) Collicott, aged 96, passed away peaceful in Halifax on 27 October.

The fourth of eight children, Esther was born in Prospect on 6 August, 1928, to Ellen Marguerite "Rita" (Christian) and Henry Joseph "Joe" Hardiman. She spent her childhood in the village and always considered it home.

After moving to Halifax with her family in 1945, she was hired as a cryptographer at the Halifax Dockyard, where she worked for years. It was there she met Gerry Collicott when she denied him entry into her office to repair the equipment because he showed up without clearance papers.

They married in 1958 and settled on Agricola Street in Halifax's North End, where their three children were born. They moved to Fairview in 1970, where she lived for the rest of her life.

Esther loved to talk to people. She was as comfortable exchanging small talk with a stranger in a store as she was catching up on the daily lives of family members. She was always ready to share tales of youthful pranks and adventures, and the endless wisdom of her Poppy George. She loved playing crib, solving cryptoquotes and crossword puzzles, and getting hugs from her grandchildren. She was kind and patient and loved her family without question.

Esther was predeceased by her husband Gerry and their son Randy; her sisters Catherine Auger, Marion Hudson, Helen Timmerman, Theresa McDonald; and her brother, Victor. She is survived by her sisters Jean and Anna Hardiman, son Michael, daughter Kathryn, son-in-law Melvin MacGillivray, and her grandchildren Zachary, Cassie, and Skye.

The family wishes to thank the care teams at Maplestone Enhanced Care - Esther's home for the past nine years - for their care, friendship and support. It is truly appreciated.

Service will take place at Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 1pm with interment to follow at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to a charity of your choice.