Julia Elizabeth "Betty" McEachern

With heavy but grateful hearts for a life well lived, the family of Julia Elizabeth (Betty) McEachern announce her peaceful passing at the Hants Community Hospital on March 4, 2019, surrounded by her loving daughters. She was 89.

Born in Moncton, NB, on November 13, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Christina (Raymond) Carey.

She married Frederick McEachern in 1953 and moved to Kentville to begin raising a family that grew to five girls. She was the dedicated mom who woke us up in time for school, fed us breakfast, gave us a paper bag lunch that always had a Wagon Wheel in it, and met us at the door at the end of the school day with a batch of cookies straight out of the oven. If we had a problem with a bully, she was our champion. If we had trouble with our homework, she stayed up all night to help us. And if we wanted her to buy us stuff at the store, she told us to get a job.

Although Betty had several jobs over the years to help make ends meet, family was always her top priority. It wasn’t uncommon to see her with a rosary in her hands at the end of the day, drawing strength from her faith. Now that we have children of our own, we know that she was more than “just” Mom - she was a super hero!

Betty later became a bookkeeper for several companies and was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. But as busy as she was, she was always a wife and mom first, eventually becoming a doting grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, imparting her quiet strength and wisdom to them as well. This is Betty’s legacy, one that will last for generations to come.

Betty is survived by daughters Janet (Eric) Raftus, Christine (Rick) Shunamon, Karen McEachern, Elizabeth (Alphonse) Benteau, and Susan (Michael) Atkins, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, brothers Patrick and Thomas Carey, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, sister Frances Procter, and brothers Raymond and Jack Carey.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr, Halifax on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 10:00 am. Reception will follow, and interment of ashes will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lower Sackville following the reception.

The family would like to extend our appreciation to the wonderful staff of Haliburton Place Nursing Home, as well as Units 200 and 500 of the Hants Community Hospital. You made Mom’s final days comfortable and peaceful and helped her pass with dignity and grace.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Haliburton Place Nursing Home, Parkinson’s Society or a charity of choice would be appreciated.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.