Kathleen Merrille Augusta (Robarts) O'Neil

The family expresses their immense gratitude of having her in our lives the length of time we shared with her.

The Matriarch, as we called her, set the standard we continually strive to live by “Family First.”

Mom was the daughter of Rodney and Annie Laurie (Harvey) Robarts. Born in Avondale, NS, she was one of twelve. She left home when she was 15 to work in a private girls school, Kings Edgehill School, Windsor, NS. Her skill at horsemanship brought her to a private girls camp, Camp Arcadie, in Sandy Cove, Digby Co, NS.

Llewellyn O’Neil, our father got her attention which led to 59 years of marriage until his death September 6, 2006.

Mom was a very proud fisherman’s wife raising 7 children while making time to be a seamstress for her family and others. Amazingly mom knit, crocheted, made quilts all while feeding meals to her children and their friends. Adding another potato to the pot was never a problem as well as finding a spot for someone to sleep.

Years later mom began working outside the home trucking supplies to fish plants, quality control at National Sea and working at other various fish plants in the area.

Training and graduating as a PCW (Personal Care Worker) at the age of 64, was mom’s proudest career moments. Mom worked at Tideview Terrace where she had been trained however quitting to let someone else take the job because they needed it more.

Her remaining years was filled with a continuous increase in the family circle and was always surrounded by her loved ones.

Family reunions with her siblings and their families was the highlight of her summers.

Mom is survived by her children, Rodney (Susan) O’Neil, Geanna (Larry) Walker, Kevin (Beverly) O’Neil, Grant O’Neil, Kathleen (Ritchie) Harris and Peggy O’Neil; Grandchildren Karen (Clifton) Mosher, Weldon (Cindy) O’Neil, Buffey (Stephen) Cassidy, Wyle (Nancy) Walker, Melvin (Joy) Walker, Willow (Cameron) Walker, Stevie Amon, Jason O’Neil, Kelly Lambert, Tyler Harris and many, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; Her surviving siblings are Gwendol Tucker, Nina Boyd, Neil (Sheila) Robarts and Vivian (Russell) Feltham.

She was predeceased by Dad, Llewellyn Lee O’Neil, daughter Claudia Esther O’Neil, grandsons Rodney Weldon O’Neil, Jody Grant O’Neil, Justin Lee Harris and granddaughter Bethanie Mary Rebecca Walker; siblings, Thomas Robarts, Karl Robarts, Elizabeth (Robarts) Sanford, Bazil Robarts, Eva (Tom) Blois, Ellen (Robarts) MacDonald, and Roy Robarts.

Our family wish to thanks the staff at Digby General Hospital for their kindness and Dr Mazeroll for caring for our mother in her final days.

Thank you to all the support from our family and friends.

The celebration of life will be held on May 9th, 2026 at the Digby Neck Firehall.

Please do not send flowers but a donation can be made to a charity of your choice or the Digby Neck Volunteer Fire Department.