Annie Martina Moules Binns

June 16, 1918 ‐ January 26, 2016

97

Annie Martina Binns was known as many things to many people. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, she will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Annie was the daughter of William Moules, Halifax, N. S. and Bessie Covey, Hackett’s Cove, N. S. She was raised with 11 siblings, five sisters; Margaret Whealen, Jessie Earl, Edna Jackson, Florence Bona and Irene Wells as well as six brothers; Charlie, Raymond, Clarence, Albert, Frank and Roddie. Annie was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings. She and her siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

On October 15, 1934 Annie exchanged wedding vows with James ‘Jim’ Binns at Holy Redeemer Church in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Empathic and loyal, Annie was committed to making her new family happy. She worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs.

Annie was blessed with 19 children;

Eight daughters; Mary {Binns} {John} Pineau, Dorothy {Binns} Evans, Rose {Binns} {Tom} Conohan, Louise {Binns} {Donnie} Burt, Debbie {Binns} Burton-Cavers, Donna {Binns} {Pat} White-Schedler, Margaret {Maggie} and Roberta {Binns} {Sean} O’Leary.

Eleven sons; Jimmy {Bernadette Thompson}, Benny, Carl {Barbara Rice}, Pius, Alfred, Leonard {Donna Young}, Ernie, Patrick {Juliette Petten}, Barry {Chris Knipe-Gregoire}, Gary and Donald.

Another blessing for Annie was the gift of 34 grandchildren; Jimmy Jr., Dana, Shaun and Lisa Binns; John Jr. and Kevin Pineau; Charlene and Gary Evans; Michele {Soldo} and Sheila {Clarke} Binns; Shawn, Sarah and Kimberly Binns; Pamela, Stephen and Christopher Conohan; Wayne and Lisa Ann {Snider} Binns; Tiffany, Jonathan and Laura {Quiroz} Binns; Trina and Melissa {Barnes} Burt; Sean Binns; Larry and Ryan White; Jason, Andrew, Justin, Michelle and Alicia Burton; Tanya {Craig} Binns; Shauna Lee {O'Leary} Shaw and David O’Leary.

43 Great-grand children; Brady, Carter, Miguel, Shaelynn, Trey, Tyler, Teagan and Dylan Binns, James and Patricia Pineau, Nicholas and Matthew, Owen and Adison Clarke, Brian and Christopher Soldo, Lauren Cholock, Noah, Katie, Monica and Emily Conohan, Brett and Alexandra Snider, Presley and Olivia Burt, Brooke Barnes, Jacob Binns, Casey, Hannah, Elias & Merced Quiroz, Jack, Jeremy, Myra and Layla Burton, Sawyer White, Colton and Zachary Craig, Lucas and Emery Shaw, as well as 2 great-great grandchildren; Camden and Macy Binns.

As the mother of 19 children, Annie had the distinction of giving birth to two sets of twins, and one set of triplets during her lifetime. Beyond those who are blessed to call her mother by birth, Annie was also referred to as “Mom” to many other children that grew up in and around her on her beloved home, “the Hill”, of Whitney Pier. Those bonds and relationships have endured with many of those children being close to her right up to her passing.

Annie’s faith was important to her. Annie was a member of Holy Redeemer Church all of her life. She was a devout Catholic, who demonstrated an amazing and unwavering faith in her God. Her devotion to the Blessed Mother and her love of the Rosary was shared with all around her, along with her humble, gentle and unconditional loving manner. She showed love in every encounter she had with all of God’s creatures, which served as a great gift and example to everyone. She was a proud Cursiestta, making her Cursillo at the age of 80, and following ten of her children in the spiritual movement as a family.

We, her family, were blessed to feel the warmth of her love each and every day of our lives, whether near or far, her devotion to her children, and each expression of kindness that she showed us. Through our lives, Annie remained a source of strength that allowed each of us to feel uplifted. Her kind words or gentle countenance were enough to make each of those who knew her to find the strength to carry on in times of difficulty.

Annie was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her all time favorites was a dog named Prince, a mixed breed collie, who she could almost make speak. LOL. She also had a faithful companion, Toby, who spent a lot of time curled up at her feet while she watched some of her favorite shows on Vision Channel or was reading a book.

Annie was happiest when she was surrounded by family, friends, the noise and commotion of family laughter and discussion, and music at family sing‐a‐longs, whether they be at Christmas time, or around a campfire. She absorbed each and every smile, each and every musical note, and each and every kind gesture, occasionally doing so with a glass of wine in her hand. ‘Red please’!

Annie loved playing Bingo, so much so that she would excitedly go on ‘Bingo trips’ to Maine with many friends that she made along the way. She also loved to play cards, especially games like Rummoli, Scat, and of course, Tarabish.

Annie, later in life, became an avid reader. She could not only indulge herself into the drama, mystery, comedy and plot of a good book, but, if someone dropped into visit and asked about the book she was reading, she would calmly mark her page and tell them anything about the story, right up to where she left off. She also had some technical skills as she mastered a Pocketbook ereader. She would keep the device charged, scroll through the book library, select a book, read for a while and mark the page as well as switch from night light to the day light as needed. Upon witnessing the knowledge and wisdom that our mother gained in the last half of her life, through her reading and communication skills, we as a family realize that given the opportunity as a young girl, she would have been very successful in any career that she had choosen. Annie probably would have made a great and compassionate teacher.

Annie loved watching her Toronto Blue Jays playing on television, cheering them on with the help of Tuck, Alfie and Pius. She always had a few choice words for Ceto Gaston, if she didn’t agree with a few lineup moves he made. One highlight of her many visits to Ontario was to finally see her beloved Blue Jays play live and in colour at the Sky Dome.

She also took the opportunity to visit her many children and relatives in Ontario. For a few years, attending ‘Christmas in November’ with family in Ontario, gave momma an opportunity to celebrate with some of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends and also to sit on Santa’s knee and put her order in for Christmas. Even in retirement, Annie continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Annie was active in her new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her. Simply stated, Annie was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Annie leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Annie Martina Binns.

REMEMBERING MOM:

Her strength, Her laugh, Her wisdom, Her gentleness, Her smile, Her voice, Her humility, Her affection, Her gifts, Her joys, Her words, Her grace, Her eyes, Her great love, Her zest for life.

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A visitation for Annie Binns was held at T. W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Sunday, January 31, 2016.

A celebration of Annie's life was held at:

Holy Redeemer Church

Whitney Pier, N.S.

Monday, February 1, 2016

10:00 A.M.

Father Paul Murphy officiating.

Eulogy:

Chris Conohan {Grandson}

First Reading:

Peggy MacNeil {Family Friend}

Second Reading:

Pamela Conohan {Granddaughter}

Personal Intercessions:

Sean O'Leary {Son-In-Law}

Offering Procession:

Jonathan Binns {Grandson}

David O'Leary {Grandson}

Michelle Burton {Granddaughter}

Lisa Binns {Granddaughter}

Ministers of the Eucharist:

Dorothy Binns {Daughter}

Leonard Binns {Son}

Pall Bearers:

Pius Binns {Son}

Leonard Binns {Son}

Patrick Binns {Son}

Donnie Binns {Son}

Tom 'Tucker' Conohan {Son-In-Law}

Jeff MacKeigan {Family Friend}

Programs Distributed By {Great-Granddaughters}

Monica Conohan

Emily Conohan

Katie Conohan

Lauren Cholock

Alexandra Snider

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BINNS, ANNIE MARTINA (Moules)

June 16, 1918 ‐ January 26, 2016

97 Years of Age

It is with broken hearts and an immeasurable sense of loss, tempered by a deep feeling of thanksgiving and celebration for the gift of her life, that our family announces the passing of our beautiful mother, Annie (Moules) Binns. God took her from this Earth on January 26, 2016.

Annie joins for eternity her deceased family members, husband James, six sons,Jimmy, Carl, Alfie, Ernie, Gary and Benny, as well as two daughters, Mary (Sis) Pineau, and Margaret (Maggie) Binns. Annie is also predeceased by her two beloved grandsons, Jason Burton and Andrew Burton. Annie’s parents, William Moules from Halifax, and Bessie (Covey) Moules of Hackett’s Cove, Nova Scotia, died many years ago. She is further predeceased by six brothers, Charlie, Raymond, Clarence, Albert, Frank and Roddie. She was also predeceased by five sisters, Margaret Whealen, Jessie Earl, Edna Jackson, Florence Bona and Irene Wells.

Annie is survived by her sons, Pius of Sarnia, Ont., Leonard (Donna) of Sydney, Paddy(Juliette) of Sydney, Barry (Chris), Elmira, Ontario, and Donnie, of Waterloo, Ontario. She is also survived by daughters, Dorothy Evans, Sydney, Rose (Tom) Conohan, Sydney, Louise (Donnie) Burt, Kitchener, Ontario, Debbie Cavers, Elmira, Ontario, Donna (Pat) Schedler, Elmira, Ontario and Roberta (Sean) O’Leary, Sydney. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, near and far.

Annie was the grandmother to 34 grandchildren, great‐grandmother to 43 greatgrandchildren, and great‐great‐grandmother to two children. Each child formed part of the fabric of Annie’s life, and were deeply loved by her.

As the mother of 19 children, Annie had the distinction of giving birth to two sets of twins, and one set of triplets during her lifetime. Beyond those who are blessed to call her mother by birth, Annie was also referred to as “Mom” to many other children that grew up in and around her on her beloved home, “the Hill”, of Whitney Pier. Those bonds and relationships have endured with many of those children being close to her right up to her passing.

Annie Binns was happiest when she was surrounded by family, friends, the noise and commotion of family laughter and discussion, and music at family sing‐a‐longs, whether they be at Christmas time, or around a campfire. She absorbed each and every smile, each and every musical note, and each and every kind gesture, occasionally doing so with a glass of wine in her hand... “Red please!”

Annie loved playing Bingo, so much so that she would excitedly go on “Bingo trips” to Maine with many friends that she made along the way. She also loved to play cards, especially games like Rummoli, Scat, and of course, Tarabish. Annie later in life became an avid reader, and would devour books, unless her Toronto Blue Jays were playing, in which case she might put the book down to cheer on Toronto with Tuck, Alfie and Pius. She also took the opportunity to visit her many children and relatives in Ontario, one of the highlights of which was finally attending a live baseball game at the Skydome.

Annie Binns was a devout Catholic, who demonstrated an amazing and unwavering faith in her God. Her devotion to the Blessed Mother and her love of the Rosary was shared with all around her, along with her humble, gentle and unconditional loving manner. She showed love in every encounter she had with all of God’s creatures, which served as a great gift and example to everyone.

Annie was a proud Cursiestta, making her Cursillo at the age of 80, and following ten of her children in the spiritual movement as a family. We, her family, were blessed to feel the warmth of her love each and every day of our lives, whether near or far, her devotion to her children, and each expression of kindness that she showed us.

Through our lives, Annie remained a source of strength that allowed each of us to feel uplifted. Her kind words or gentle countenance were enough to make each of those who knew her to find the strength to carry on in times of difficulty.

Visitation for Annie Binns will be at T. W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Sunday, January 31, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at Holy Redeemer Church at 10:00 on February 1, 2016, with Father Paul Murphy officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Redeemer Building Fund. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com

REMEMBERING MOM:

• Her strength

• Her laugh

• Her wisdom

• Her gentleness

• Her smile

• Her voice

• Her strength

• Her humility

• Her affection

• Her gifts

• Her joys

• Her words

• Her grace

• Her eyes

• Her great love

• Her zest for life

... And everything that made you special to us and to all who were fortunate enough to have had their lives touched by you, which cannot be put into words, you will live forever in our hearts and memories.

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A Very Special Poem

for a Very Special Mom

There are so many moments

when we wish you knew.. how much you

matter to us, and how much we thank you

for being such a wonderful mother.

If there is happiness in our heart,

it’s because you helped put it there.

If there is gentleness in our beliefs,

it’s because you showed us how to care.

If there is understanding in our thinking,

it’s because you shared your wisdom.

If there is a rainbow over our shoulder,

it’s because of your outlook and your vision.

If there is a knowledge that we can reach out

and we really can make some dreams come true

it’s because we learned from the best

teacher of all.

We learned... from you.

In the times of our life, whether we

are near or far, please remember

that there could never be any mother

more wonderful... than the one you are.