Anne 'Marie' Curtis

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother Anne “Marie” (Frederickson) Curtis, "Beautiful Marie”, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Born in Sydney on May 3rd, 1929 she was predeceased by her parents Blanche (Heron) Penny and Alexander Frederickson.

Marie attended Mount St. Bernard College in Antigonish, “The Mount”, and graduated from Holy Angels High School, Sydney. Later she would work as an Executive Assistant at the accounting firm of Nightingale Hayman in Sydney, similarly at the Point Edward Naval Base.

Mom had a deep love for music, you would be hard pressed to beat her at a game of Name That Tune, but her passion was for the piano. She would tell how she used sit at her grandmother’s player piano at 3 years old, feet dangling and pretend to play. Not too long after, she would be classically trained and go on to play pieces like 1st Piano Concerto Theme by Tchaikovsky, on radio no less.

Only two months ago, sitting at the same piano her mom gave to her as a young girl, she was playing some of her classical favourites, and her most requested, a wild “Boogie Woogie”, then wrapped it up with us sitting next to her for a duet of Chopsticks. At the beginning of the Boogie Woogie she would call out, "Are you ready?” .... and away she went. Her heart broke loose on the keys as her fingers flew into the rhythm of the music. That was the last piece we heard her play.

Now we listen in to the silence, remembering how blessed she was with beauty and strength. She was elegant, hitting all the grace notes in her style and poise. It seemed to us she was made for the stage.

Mom was a powerful skater and relished the years when Sydney Harbour was frozen enough to bear the weight of cars and dozens of skaters. It was nothing for her to skate from Sydney to Westmount and back, and occasionally jump an ice clamper or two.

Mom liked to skate, but boy she really loved to dance. She could wear out anyone that tried to keep up and would take any opportunity to try and teach us how. She enjoyed watching a good ole hockey game during the playoffs too. Her excitement with each goal kept score for anyone not watching. She loved to laugh and could tell a good joke, occasionally not so good, and knew it. But even those seemed funny too.

She was a former member of the Lingan Golf and Country Club, enjoyed cross country skiing, swimming at the Y, exercise classes, yoga and even dabbled in gardening as a member of a local gardening club. She had rich and varied interests as she continued on to study art, music and world religions in later years.

Mom was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 12, as well as a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame Associate Relationship and an Associate of Holy Angels Sydney N.S. Group. Her commitment was made May 31, 1992, the Feast of the Visitation.

Mom was no activist, but eagerly stepped into that role when she became a founding member of the committee that developed into the Parade of Concern after the announced closure of Sydney Steel in 1967 (Black Friday), with the first meeting to organize the Parade taking place at our family home in Sydney. Marie was formidable.

A fragment from her notes of the opening meeting declared that "apathy and complacency must not describe the people of this Island." That was a rare and necessary moment.

And this moment today is a necessary and devastating one for us. Mom was our anchor, steadfast and faithful.

Marie was predeceased by her husband, Doane, sons Vince, Doane and her brother Ernie. She is survived by her daughter Jan, Sydney, son Jeff (Diane), Moncton, son Mark, Florida and grandchildren Dayna and Robert.

Mom leaves behind a close circle of friends and relatives. She has left an indelible mark on the lives of many by whom she will be dearly missed. Memories of her gentle ways and warm smile will always be cherished

Due to Covid restrictions a private family funeral mass will be held. As restrictions ease, a Celebration of Life for Marie will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences can be left for the family by visiting www.twcurry.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.

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I Am Standing Upon The Seashore

I am standing upon the seashore.

A ship at my side spreads her white

sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength.

I stand and watch her until at length

she hangs like a speck of white cloud

just where the sea and sky come

to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says;

"There, she is gone!"

“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull

and spar as she was when she left my side

and she is just as able to bear her

load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone

at my side says, "There, she is gone!"

There are other eyes watching her coming

and other voices ready to take up the glad shout;

"Here she comes!"

And that is dying..

By Henry Van Dyke