Ailene Campbell

Our mother, Mary ‘Ailene’ (McKenna) Campbell, passed on March 31, 2023 in Halifax. She was born in Pictou in 1928, the daughter of the late Jack and Bessie (Kennedy) McKenna. She has been reunited with her husband Malcolm, siblings Jean, Gerald, Roy and James McKenna and Margaret Erb.

Mom always said that we, her seven children were her life’s greatest accomplishments: Joan Campbell (Keith Neuman), Ottawa, David (Coleen), Harrisburg PA, Greg (Cathy), Mississauga, Shelagh Campbell-Palmer (Curt Palmer), Coldbrook, Jennifer Campbell (Dave Welch), Scottsdale AZ, Jamie (Christina Winsor), Fredericton and Dennis (Kellie), Halifax. Mom was so very proud of her grandchildren: David and Tyler Campbell, Alex and Nicholas Neuman, Colin and Benjamin Palmer, Baelie and Jack Campbell, and Cole Campbell and 3 great grand-children Uma, Elton and Bea Neuman-Hald.

Ailene grew up and was educated in Pictou. Following high school, she attended Mount St. Bernard (St. Francis Xavier University). Following in the steps of her father and brother Jim, entered the profession of pharmacy, later graduating from the Maritime College of Pharmacy (Dalhousie University) in 1950 and was the recipient of various academic awards. Ailene worked alongside her husband Malcie for many years in the family’s pharmacy businesses. She later had a career as a hospital pharmacist at the Metropolitan Dispensary, Camp Hill Hospital, Abbie J. Lane Hospital and she retired from the IWK hospital in 1988.

Mom was an accomplished artist, and her keen eye for colour was evident in the beautiful florals and landscapes she created. Her works are displayed and treasured across North America. She painted and socialized with the ladies of the Bethany United Church Artists Guild and the IWK Auxiliary Painters.

Mom’s passion for people and her community included, but were not limited to being a faithful and active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, preparing meals for Hope Cottage and working with the Health Mentors Program for Dalhousie University. Mom enjoyed travelling, socializing, and especially spending time with family. Our family home on Beech Street had an “open door policy” and was welcoming to all.

We will be forever grateful to those who extended so many kindnesses to Mom in her later years, most importantly the healthcare providers who honoured the sacred trust placed in them by caring for and nurturing Ailene’s body and spirit in her last years. In particular, we thank staff of Melville Heights, St. Vincent’s Nursing Home and especially Parkland at the Gardens. Mom’s angel on earth, Winnie Fiesta will forever be in our hearts and minds.

There will be visitation at the J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS on Tuesday April 4 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Mom’s life will celebrated with a funeral mass on at 2:00pm, Wednesday April 5 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1725 Oxford Street, Halifax, followed by an informal celebration of her life with family and friends at Parkland at the Gardens, 5230 College St, Halifax. A private graveside service will be held at Seaview Cemetery in Pictou. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Mom’s memory may be made to Hope Cottage, the Parkinson’s Foundation of Canada, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, or a charity of your choice.