Nancy Marie Chiasson Phillips

Marie “Nancy” Phillips (Chiasson), age 65, of Belle Cote, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her side. Born in Cheticamp on December 8 she was the daughter of late Eddie Joe and Elizabeth Ann Chiasson (Deveau).

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 40 years, Gordon, and sons Dwayne (Ny) Halifax, David (Agnes) Edmonton, Ward (Mark) Halifax, granddaughters Alicia and Haylee and special friend of the family Barbara of Honolulu. Also surviving are sisters, Theresa (Joseph Arthur) AuCoin, Cecile and Nettie (Simon) LeBlanc, all of Cheticamp as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers, Charlie and Bernie.

While her time with us was cut short due to illness, Nancy lived a very full life. She attended business college and became trained in business administration and bookkeeping. Her career began with the Royal Bank and Credit Union and then she spent nearly 20 years at Levi LeBlanc Ltd in East Margaree while also handling the books for Gordon’s business. When Levi’s closed she picked up work here and there until finally running the lobster pound in Belle Cote for the Harbour Authority. She truly enjoyed those summer days cooking up seafood for visitors from all over the world while sharing stories with them about the local area.

She was an elder of Calvin United Church in Margaree Harbour. Over the years she generously gave of her time volunteering with community organizations such as the Credit Union Board, Ladies Auxiliary, Calvin United Lydia Group, Belle Cote Community Centre, Beavers and Cubs and the list goes on. She especially enjoyed Belle Cote Days and was always there to lend a hand and make sure every penny was accounted for and secured away to support the centre and the community.

Nancy loved the simple things in life like spending time with family and friends around the kitchen table, sharing a good laugh, getting hugs and kisses from her grandkids, a snuggle with Kitty and grand-puppies Jaxon and Maximus or savouring a beautiful sunset. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter; she loved the holidays as long as her boys and their families were home for holiday dinner with Mom and Dad. She rarely spent an idle moment and enjoyed many pass times such as bowling, knitting, berry picking, cross word puzzles, Monday night TV bingo with Diane, and jig saw puzzles – the more pieces, the better.

Nancy always looked on the bright side of life. In recent years, her positive outlook would be tested, but with a smile she showed tremendous strength and courage while facing significant health challenges. We are inspired by her amazing spirit and blessed to have been part of her life.

A very special and heart felt thank you to Drs. Suzie Egar and Bruce Colwell, the outstanding Palliative/Continuing Care Nurses and Doctors, Home Care Workers as well as thoughtful extended family, friends and neighbours who helped us through this difficult time.

Donations may be made to the Central Inverness Palliative Care Society or Calvin United Church.

Visitation to be held 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, August 13 and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, August 14 at the Belle Cote Community Centre. Funeral service will take place 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 15 at Calvin United Church, Margaree Harbour. Norma Mills, DLM. Burial to follow at the Whale Cove Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.invernessfuneralhome.com

The angels sang Amazing Grace.

The Lord came down and touched her face,

Held her hand and whispered low,

Come with me it's time to go.

The gates of heaven opened wide

and the angels lined up side by side.

A special gift was on its way,

the day God took her away.

Thank You

Published in the Inverness Oran

The family of the late Nancy Phillips, Belle Cote, would like to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the kindness and support we have been so fortunate to receive over the last few months. As we faced the most difficult time of our lives; so many family members, friends and neighbours showed us tremendous compassion and caring to help us through her illness and in the days and weeks following her passing.

We are forever grateful for the outstanding care Mom received from Drs. Susie Egar and John Ritter, the Palliative and Continuing Care Nurses and Homecare Workers that made it possible for her to remain in the comfort of home. Throughout Mom’s illness we constantly felt the support of the community; to all the friends and neighbours who took the time to call, visit and drop by with food and care packages, your thoughtfulness has meant so much.

We’d like to also thank everyone who attended the visitation and funeral to pay their respects and share wonderful memories; it was so nice to hear how special Mom was to so many. A special thank you to Norma Mills, DLM for helping put together a beautiful and meaningful service to honor Mom. To Dieter Thelen, Don Crouse and the church choir; thank you for the wonderful music that filled Calvin United Church along with the sweet summer breeze. Thank you to Father Doug MacDonald for taking part in the service and thank you to the pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, readers, those who shared memories during the service and to family and friends who came from near and far. You all helped make the service a very special and touching celebration of Mom’s life. As well, thank you to everyone who helped with the lovely reception that followed at the community centre.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sent such beautiful flowers to help brighten the days. Thank you for the many generous donations made in memory of Mom, the hundreds of cards, mass cards, prayers and words of sympathy; each kind word and gesture means so much. Thank you to Kevin and Annette of the Inverness Funeral home for their true professionalism and compassion during a difficult time.

Mom was truly devoted to her family, community and church; we are so proud of her amazing strength and courage and to know what a positive impact she made on so many people. We will always cherish the wonderful memories. You are all in our thoughts and prayers; thank you and God Bless.