Bessie May Dunick

It is with great sadness that the family of Bessie May Dunick (Ripley), announce her passing at the age of 87 on July 11, 2024.

Born on May 1, 1937, in River Hebert, N.S., Bessie was the daughter of the late William Ripley and Viola (Saunders) Estabrooks.

After her father was killed serving his country on June 8, 1944, Bessie and her mother spent her formative years in Sackville, N.B.

Bessie attended the new Sackville High School, graduating in 1955, and then the Moncton Hospital, where she graduated in 1958.

She met her future husband, John Dunick, while he was studying at Mount Allison University in Sackville, and they married in 1961, eventually relocating to Edmonton, Alberta, where in 1969 they adopted their son, Leith William Dunick.

The family then moved back to Sackville for a couple of years, where they were pleased to welcome their second son, Gordon John Dunick, into the world, in 1970.

Weeks later they took off to Barbados for two years, before returning for a short stay in Sackville. In 1973, Bessie found her forever home on Forestside Crescent and lived there for the rest of her life, except for a four-year journey to St. Jean, Que.

Bessie’s heart forever remained in Baie Verte, N.B., and summers at the family cottage.

Bessie loved her cats, starting with B’dos, the first of many that included America, Rambo, Iggy, Fergus, Scotia, Cindy, Ellie May and Pogey.

Bessie loved to knit, and her family could always count on something made from her heart each Christmas.

She always opened her home to her children’s friends, and always made sure she had some Rocky Road squares on hand as a treat.

Bessie returned to work in 1981, first at Keddy’s Nursing Home and later at the Victoria General Hospital, where she was a stalwart on 4 North and 9B for more than 20 years, developing treasured friendships that lasted a lifetime.

When her children moved away, Bessie rediscovered her love of travel, taking several bus tours to the United States with her beloved aunt and friend, Jean Cole, as well as trips to New York with Leith and the West Coast to visit Gordon and his animal family.

In 2017, Bessie’s one and only grandson, Nolan Dunick, was born. She loved him like no other, visiting him in Thunder Bay as often as possible, and welcoming him to her home on Forestside many times over the years. She got one final visit in with him in May 2024.

Bessie remained active throughout her later life, serving many terms on the Kensington Court board of directors. She was a lifetime member of the UCW.

Bessie is survived by her son Leith, his partner, Cathy Metcalf and her grandson, Nolan Dunick, of Thunder Bay, Ont., her son Gordon and his partner, Ashley Akyurek of Vancouver., and former husband John Dunick. She was predeceased by her father William Ripley, mother Viola Estabrooks and stepfather John Estabrooks, along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She’s also fondly remembered by her friends Peggy Sanford and Doris Ernst, whose companionship and camaraderie were treasured by Bessie in golden years.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Halifax Infirmary for taking care of Bessie during her final days and everyone who stopped by to share a memory.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favourite animal charity or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia.