Mary Colette Flinn Perey

The family of Mary Colette Flinn Perey are saddened to announce that after a brief illness, in which she showed great courage, has passed away peacefully in her home in St Margarets Bay on October 31 at the age of 83.

She will be forever missed by her husband Dr. Bernard Perey of Head of St. Margarets Bay, her children Gregory (Kathleen) Flinn of Bridgewater, Jennifer (Jeff) Mather of Toronto, Bruce Flinn of Mahone Bay and Susie (Glenn) Anderson of Halifax and her two sisters Janet (Michael) O’Brien (Head of St. Margarets Bay) and Loanne Metcalfe (Christchurch, New Zealand). She was affectionately known as Grammy to her grandchildren Brit and Matt Flinn, Liam and Thomas Mather and Jack and Alec Anderson and Aunt “C” by many of her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband the The Honourable Mr. Justice E.J. (Ted) Flinn.

Born in Halifax, Colette was the daughter of Joan and Currie Young.

In her early years, Colette began a life-long passion for swimming while attending the Waegwoltic Club. She also developed a keen interest in figure skating while learning to skate at the Halifax Figure Skating Club. Throughout her life she loved watching figure skating competitions, especially Skate Canada.

Colette was a graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart and Dalhousie University. Following University, she began her career as a social worker with the Department of Social Welfare. After her marriage to Ted in 1961, she stayed at home for several years to raise her four children. She then returned to the workforce and began a career in tourism as a travel agent at Mathers Travel and subsequently worked with Air Canada.

After retiring from full time work, she directed her passion for Nova Scotia history to organizing tours for the many cruise ships visiting Halifax.

She cherished her photo albums filled with memories of friends, family, activities and the multiple places she travelled. Beginning with summer vacations to Cavendish PEI with her young family, to pictures of over 30 countries that she and Bernard visited.

She was a lifelong volunteer for countless organizations, including The Junior League, The March of Dimes, The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and the World Figure Skating Championships in Halifax in 1990.

The family cottage on Todds Island provided countless family memories. She had a special place in her heart for the Head of St. Margarets Bay. To her delight, she returned to "The Bay”, living in Allen Heights with Bernard. She loved visiting with her sister, going for boat rides, rowing and her morning swims.

Colette had a very active social life that included participating in several art study groups at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, curling at the Halifax ladies curling club, playing Bridge with the ladies in the West End Bridge Club Jr. and attending the Chen do Rotisserie Dinner Club with Bernard. She was an active parishioner in the Catholic church most recently attending the St Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish in the Head of St. Margarets Bay.

Colette will be missed by countless friends. She made every occasion a happy one.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Cynthia Cleary for her care and compassion.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 7 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. Halifax. Funeral Mass on Monday November 8 at 10:50am in St Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Upper Tantallon. *Masks and proof of double vaccination are required for both the visitation and funeral mass. Mass can be viewed online at www.holyapostleparish.com – click the Sunday mass stream link. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting: www.JASnowFuneralHome.com. In Lieu of flowers, donations in Colette’s memory may be made to Hospice Halifax or to a charity of your choice.