Pond (Mac Phail) Esther Annabelle – “The Dee Daw”, aged 99 years, of Port Hood passed away surrounded by her family in Inverary Manor, Inverness. Esther went to her final reward in heaven in the early hours of April 22, 2022. Born in Stellarton, to the late Sarah (Harris) and Norman Mac Phail, she was the middle child of five. Esther lived in Pictou County for the majority of her life until she moved to live in Port Hood in 1945 with her husband, John T. Pond. She was one of the last surviving members of Dr. John Harris lineage, who was one of the first settlers and the first doctor in Pictou, who arrived from Philadelphia as part of the Philadelphia Company, on the ship “Hope Betsy”. She was also a descendent of Lady Esther Elizabeth St. Clair of Caithness, Scotland, daughter of the Earl of Caithness.
At the age of 19, she joined the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Services (W.R.C.N.S) and trained in Galt, Ont. Upon completion of her training, she was stationed in Conestoga, Ont where she was a Steward Class lll and in Halifax, at H.M.C.S. Stadacona where she served at the dockyards as a general clerk, messenger and sail maker. She was an active member of the Royal Canadian, Branch #132 up until the time of her death. She was the last surviving W.W. ll Veteran from Branch #132.
Esther was also a member of St. Stephen’s United Church Women’s group. She worked as a waitress for nearly 30 years.
She was predeceased by her husband, John T. Pond; son, Jackie; and great-grandsons, Joel and Jacob. Esther was also predeceased by her siblings, Harris, Elizabeth (John) Campbell, Hilton (Marion) and Parker (Aggie).
Esther is survived by her children, Patricia, George (Bev), Norma (late Terrance) MacIntyre, Harold (Caddy), Clifford, all of Port Hood and Kent, Brackley, PEI. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Esther is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Throughout her life, Esther was an avid gardener and loved to see the first tiny Snowdrops appear in the Springtime. She also enjoyed quilting, was a wonderful cook and was a voracious reader, especially historical novels.
We would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all the staff of the Inverary Manor for all their support and love they showed our mom.
There will be no visiting hours as per request. Funeral Service will take on July 7, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Stephen's United Church, Port Hood with Pastors Eric and Margaret Lynk celebrating. Burial will follow in the Union Protestant Cemetery, Port Hood.
Funeral is under the direction of the Inverness Funeral Home.
Donations may be made to the Angus L. Mac Donald Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #132, Inverness or to the Alzheimer's Association of Nova Scotia.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
“Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.” Abraham Lincoln
