Susan Nichols Gushue

Born in Harbor Grace Nfld on May 3,1913.She was the eldest daughter of George and Wilamina(French) Nichols. Mom attended school in a one room school house in Nfld. where she received her early elementary education. When the steel plant became successful, they moved to Cape Breton seeking employment. The year was 1924 and she was 11. She attended Whitney School but because Nfld. was not part of the commomwealth, her formal education was not accepted. She was placed back in grade 1 much to her embarrassment. She was very smart in school but chose to quit to make money to help the family.She went working for Mrs. Foley who owned a boarding house. She scrubbed floors, washed bedclothes and made bread. She was 12 years old. Mom had many jobs and was a great help to her family. Since her mother could not read, a great responsibility fell on her.She would do all of the shopping, banking and reading of the newspapers. During war time,her mother depended upon her to provide the family with news from the front, since she had 4 brothers fighting over seas. Mom met and married our father on June 1st, 1928. She was married in the Catholic church, much to the disappointment of her parents, who by the way refused to attend. Things were going fine, dad had lots of work since his father was a foreman on the plant. Our mother became pregnant with our sister Mary who was born March 13th, 1929. Soon the bottom fell out of the economy and and the great stock crash of '29 bore down upon the nation. Dad did not work for 3 years. By this time he had 4 more kids, two dying at birth. They struggled on having kid after kid until finally my father got a job with the city. More children came and they decided to buy their own house. It was the Brookman farm under the hill by first brook. Mom and dad had many happy years there but the house was run down and needed a lot of repairs. We also had a boarder named Frank Piersey who lived with us. Both him and dad liked to drink which was hard on my mother. Repairs were made as they could and we lived a happy life. Then on May 1st 1961 mom found dad dead in bed. He was 52, Her life, and the life of her children would never be the same. Mom was left with 6 children still at home who ranged in age from 19 to 2 years old. Mom struggled for the next 7 years, living in an old cold shack until we moved to 2 Tulip Terrace. We were amazed to have heat, running water and a bed for everyone.It was a gift from heaven. We stayed there for about 5 years and mom said it was getting too rough. We moved up to Rockcliff where we lived until mom reached retirement age. She then moved to Tillock Dr. in her own apartment. She didn't like it at first but she soon made friends. When she turned 80 a new unit was added onto Mac Gillivary called The Enriched Housing Unit. Once again she was not too keen on moving but once she settled in she felt at home. Mom lived there for 18 years until 6 weeks before her death on December 6th,2011. Mom aspirated and passed away at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital at 1:45 am with her children by her side. We love you mom and will never forget the lessons you taught us or the love you gave. Rest with the angels precious one.

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It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the death of the matriarch of our family, Susan Gushue. Mom died as she lived, with grace and dignity on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 in her 98th year, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with her children by her side.

Born in Harbour Grace Newfoundland on May 3, 1913, she was the eldest child of the late George and Wilamena (French) Nichols.

Widowed at 48, Mom worked tirelessly to raise her 11 children, depending on her strong faith to guide her. Mom was a lady who always looked out for others. She was strong willed, quick witted and had a tremendous sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Left to mourn are her 8 children Connie (Eric) LeGresley, Mississauga; Violet Clarke, Kingston; Hazel (Ron) Desrosiers, Kingston; Susan Ongo; Barbara (Sam) Carter; Terry (Annie); Patricia Neville (Dave MacKindrick); Deborah (Gary) Gallivan, all of Sydney. Also left to mourn are her 27 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She also leaves behind her sisters ‘Babe’ Hollahan, Sydney; Elizabeth Creber and Nellie Ellis, both of Ontario; two sisters-in-law Vera and Vicki Nichols and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Jack Gushue, her son Jack, daughters Mary and Colleen and twin boys Peter and Paul at birth. She was also predeceased by her grandson Jack Jr., 4 brothers Jerry, Wesley, Charles and Walter and her sisters Edna, Viola, Kay, Dot and Hazel.

There will be no visitation for the late Mrs. Gushue. A funeral mass to celebrate her life will be held at Holy Redeemer Church on Friday, December 9 at 11 am with Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. A reception will be held in the church basement following the service.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the MacGillivary Guest Home for their professional care. Mom loved living and being cared for by the staff who she considered her second family. A special thank you to Fr. Michael Rankin and Fr. Bill Roach, her spiritual advisors.

Online condolences to www.twcurry.com

“Eternal rest grant onto her O Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.”