Veronica Christine King

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, […] or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Veronica on June 4, 2019, with her family by her side. Known by her friends and family as Ronnie, she enjoyed her life, caring for others. Veronica was born to the late Alfred and Myrtle Phyllis Hills on September 20, 1940, in Dartford, England. Self-titled a “Kentish-maid,” Veronica grew up in Swanley, where she attended school and later married her late husband, Brian King. Veronica knew from a young age that she wanted to be a nurse, following in the footsteps of her beloved Auntie Lil. Veronica was not only inspired by the medical field but also by answering the call of her generous heart and natural talent for human connection. It was during her training years at Farnborough Hospital, where Veronica made friendships that spanned years and continents—particularly her closest friend Pix, Ruth (Dave), with whom she lived, laughed, traveled, and moved to Brighton where they both worked as Registered Nurses at Brighton General Hospital. It was in Brighton that Veronica met Brian, while dancing at the Regent Ballroom. Throughout their 54 years of marriage, they shared many adventures, travelling with their two daughters, Nicola (Allan) and Fiona (Paul), to Africa, South America, Canada (Montreal), and finally settling in Dartmouth, N.S. Once she settled in Nova Scotia, Veronica spent four years at Ocean View Manor and eight years at Daniel A. MacDonald Manor. She then volunteered with the Dartmouth General Hospital Auxiliary in the Emergency Department for over 12 years. People were forever approaching her with memories of how she cared for them or a loved one, even years later, to express their gratitude. She shared her tender heart, gentle touch, and kind words with patients for 58 years. While her adventurous spirit called her away from England, her love for her family and close bond with her parents ensured she always came back to visit and care for them. Veronica maintained and cherished a wonderful relationship with her brother (bruvver), Paul (Kate) and their children (Alastair, Natalie and Gregory). No trip to England was complete without visiting her goddaughter and flower girl, Bettina. Veronica supported and cheered her husband on in his many hobbies. She helped with race registrations for the Natal Day runs, hosted rugby parties, worked behind the scenes with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of NS, navigated for drives with the BATANS group, and even became a member of the Welsh Society—which she loved. She was not actually Welsh, but definitely ENGLISH! Her grandchildren Lara, Ryan, Christopher, Molly, and Chloe have learned to treat others with kindness and care, which will forever be Veronica’s legacy. They have also learned that a “baaahth” is much better than a shower, that you should always stand (even if just in your living room watching TV) for God Save the Queen, and never miss the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day. When a dear person, who we have known and loved, dies, they go taking a piece of us with them. We all know that Mum/Nana/Grandma/Sissy/Vron/Wonky/Ronnie gave all that she could to make her family and friends’ path through life just a bit easier. The past few years have provided us all with an opportunity to give something back, to make her path a bit more comfortable as she struggled with the effects of a stroke and dementia, in addition to being a breast cancer survivor. Surviving breast cancer was, in large part, due to her vigilance with check-ups along with her strength and humour, such as insisting that she wore her Winnie the Pooh socks to radiation. Friends and family are welcomed to celebrate her life, share memories, and have an afternoon tea on Sunday, June 9, from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at The Fairbanks Centre in Shubie Park, 54 Locks Road, Dartmouth. A funeral service will be held at Christ Church, 61 Dundas St., Dartmouth, on Tuesday, June 11 at 3:00 p.m., with reception to follow at Christ Church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society.