A. Colleen Landry

On December 24th a great light went out in our lives. We have lost our wife, mother, sister, friend and neighbour. Colleen died at home surrounded by her adoring family and with her in spirit were her many friends. Over the last year she bore the burden of her pancreatic cancer without complaint and preferred instead to talk of the loving support she received from everyone. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 55 years John C. Landry, her daughter Mary Lou (Lauchlin Meagher), son John Patrick (Shelly Meider), grandchildren Austin, Gus and Spencer, her treasured sister Mary Lou Courtney, her nephews Michael and Peter Courtney and many other loving relatives and friends. Colleen was predeceased by her parents Basil E. and Margaret O. Courtney, son Christopher, brother Gerald Courtney and niece Barbara Jean Courtney.

Colleen was born in Halifax in 1936 and graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart School. She went on to work at the Halifax School Board where she met her husband and best friend John and he met his girl. After a few years of marriage, she left the School Board to focus on raising her family. She cherished her children and grandchildren and their well being, as she said, was “always on my mind”.

Colleen filled her basement and her spare time with crafts. She spent many happy hours with “the girls” laughing and labouring over everything from elaborate cakes to any thing that needed a glue gun. She loved her home in Halifax and the tight knit neighbourhood that she enjoyed for 53 years. Summers at the cottage in Queensland were idyllic; she loved the sun as it sparkled like diamonds on the Bay.

Colleen valued the gift of her wonderful life, rich with great experiences and fascinating people. She took genuine delight in the happiness of others. She taught us all the importance of giving whether through her coveted home-baked treats, thoughtful handcrafted gifts or the joy of her brilliant smile and funny stories. Family, friends and neighbours knew that Colleen was always there if you needed her.

Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held from 2–4 pm and 6–8 pm on January 2nd at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax. Funeral mass will be held at 10 am on January 3rd at St Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Road, Halifax.

The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Renault, Dr. Stephanie Snow, Dr. Rob Horton, Glenna Thornhill, RN, and the rest of the Palliative Care Team VG as well as the VON for their exceptional kindness and attentiveness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.jasnowfuneralhome.ca.

“We try to match the love we give with the love that we’ve been given” — Jill Barber