Matilda Catherine Hayward

Passed away peacefully, June 13, 2013, at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home at age 97. Born in Halifax, on October 1, 1915, to the late William and Martha (Saab) Gosine, Tillie was a survivor of the Halifax Explosion. At a young age, she left school to work in the family grocery store. Bright and hard working, she was soon running her own grocery business. She met her husband, Bertram Hayward, a member of the British Merchant Navy, during World War II, and they married in Halifax in 1945. They were joined by Bert’s two children from England, and then had four more children. When Bert died in ’78, they were running the Tower Road Grocery, which Tillie continued to operate for several more years. Valuing family above all else, Tillie was a true matriarch of her ever growing family and loved being part of every family gathering. She was a life time member of Canadian Martyrs Parish and active in the CWL. Her weekly card games at the church were a highlight for her. Tillie also worked with the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary Vimy #27 (where she was a life member), and with Hope Cottage. She supported the IWK Kermesse by painting and donating garden plants. Her countless hobbies included gardening, piano, reading, crafts, quilting, knitting and travelling. Tillie took up oil painting at 65 and created over 200 pieces, many of which hang proudly in homes of family and friends. Tillie was predeceased by husband Bert; daughter Anna Keefe; sisters Emmaline Juteau, Annie Resk, and Frances MacDonald; and brothers Michael and Jimmy Gosine. She is survived by her children Donna (Joe) Jollimore, Trevor Hayward and Ricci Hayward (Vancouver); stepchildren Rose Stanhope and Bert (Jessica) Hayward (Ottawa); sister Louise Abraham; grandchildren Patrick and David Keefe, Jason and Jennifer Jollimore, Dillon and Liam Hayward, and Nathan Hayward; great grandchildren Connor, Ian, Grant, Ella, Henry, Darcy, Leah, Ryan, Kate, and Cameron. The family would like to thank staff and volunteers at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home for their loving care over the past 17 months. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 19, 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, Windsor St. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, June 20, 11 am, at Canadian Martyrs Parish, 5900 Inglis St., with Father Owen Connolly presiding. Reception after mass followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville. Donations may be made to Hope Cottage in Tillie’s name.