Marion Rose Whittemore

Marion was born in Liverpool, NS, the youngest of 6 children. When old enough, she left Liverpool for nursing school at the Halifax Children's Hospital, graduating in the class of 1949. There she pursued her desire to help people through nursing, starting first with children, but over the years also worked at the Halifax Infirmary, Rehab and Stadacona hospitals, spending many of her nursing years at Camp Hill. In the mid 1950s, she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve to work as a nurse at the base in Baden Baden, Germany.

Marion married Halifax policeman Doug Whittemore on a cold day in January, 1959. Before the end of that year, they lost their first child, James, after only a day, but went on to raise four children of the 60s. Marion loved children, family events and travel, social evenings entertaining at home or at friends' homes, often turning to cards, especially Bridge.

Marion is predeceased by her parents, Hubert Clinton Nickerson and Annie Bell (Bethune), beloved husband, Walter Douglas ("Doug") Whittemore, sisters Phyllis, Rhea, Doris, Mildred ("Molly"), brother Wilfred, and infant son James Douglas. She is survived by her daughter Marsha Zinck (Allan), and sons Paul (Vikki), Andrew and Scott (Jennifer). Marion is also survived by her grandchildren, Emily and Luke (Zinck), Kathryn and Evelyn (Whittemore), brother-in-law George, and many nieces and nephews. Marion was especially proud of her children and grandchildren. We miss her greatly, but find comfort knowing she has found peace.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Veterans Memorial in Halifax, especially Else Marie, Monita, Tabitha, and all the staff on 6 East and the many who assisted, in particular Andrea who we hired to provide additional care but went well above the call of duty to help Marion every way she could. You were all a breath of fresh air for our mother, sometimes literally, and made such a huge difference for her and for us.

This is a excerpt from a poem Marion wanted to share (from "Let Me Go" by Christina Rossetti):

When I come to the end of the road,

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long,

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that once we shared.

Miss me, but let me go.

In lieu of flowers, Marion had asked for donations to be made to the Heart & Stroke Fund, Canadian Cancer Society, or St. Margaret's of Scotland Church (Robie St. Halifax).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JASnowFuneralHome.com for the Whittemore family.