Inez Shirley Bollong

Inez S. Bollong passed away at Parkland at the Gardens on January 27th, 2024 with attentive care under the best possible circumstances.

She was born in Tangier, Nova Scotia, the daughter of PS (Stan) Ferguson and Harriet (Hattie) B. Ferguson. She was the wife of Paul E. Bollong, born in Pope’s Harbour, Nova Scotia, also now deceased.

She is survived by Dorothy G. Lamont a younger sister and Donald Ferguson a younger brother. She was predeceased by brothers, Elmer, Roy, Percy ,Guy (Mick) and Eric, and by sisters Aileen, Muriel, Viola, and Daisy in early childhood. The Ferguson’s from Tangier were a large and close-knit family. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She would not reveal her age in her younger years, but her attitude changed somewhat with her longevity. If may be sufficient to reveal that she lived a full and incredibly active life, and came within 78 days of her 100th birthday.

After completion of her schooling she taught in rural communities most notably Mushaboom and Jeddore. She then moved to a retail career with Sears becoming the Department Head of Women’s Fashion in Halifax at the time of her retirement. She was highly successful in her managerial career and won various awards and recognition for her sales accomplishments.

Inez was an active international traveller, and was always ready and willing for a new ‘adventure’. For two decades she liked to winter in Florida. She was also an avid and highly capable bridge player, and faithfully supported the Progressive Conservative Party. Inez was fun loving, optimistic and playful. She explained that her long life was due to ‘never getting cross’ and laughing at whatever happened.

Most of all, however, she was that ‘independent woman’. She liked to assess all of her options and make her own life decisions. It is particularly notable that she held a senior position in management during the 1970’s and 1980’s long before women were well established as equals and leaders in the workplace.

Remarkably, she enjoyed spectacular health and woke up every day with a smile on her face.

There will be no immediate funeral, flowers or ceremony by request. When the weather improves in the summertime, her cremated remains will be buried near her parents’ grave site in the Tangier cemetery. She requested that a few amusing stories be told at that time about her fascinating life. There will be more than enough…

Donations in her memory may be made to the Victoria General Hospital Fund. Good health care is critical to the lives of Nova Scotians. Support is especially needed at this difficult time.