Phyllis Elaine Poole

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our much loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Phyllis Elaine Poole (nee Powell), age 96. Phyllis left us peacefully on January 15, 2025, in Parkstone Enhanced Care Facility.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 71 years, Harry Malcolm Poole, her parents, Ralph and Eugenia Powell, her brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronald Powell [Alice] and Edwin Powell [Betty], her sister and brother-in-law, Isobel Haley [Robert], and niece Donna Rutledge [Powell].

Phyllis is survived by her daughter Sharon Longard [David], Halifax and sons, Graham [Jackie], Halifax and Edward [Denise Lefort], Halifax; granddaughters, Beth Moore [Edward], Digby; Julie Roy [Spencer], Wilmot; Nicole Hotchkiss [Adam], Copenhagen; Dianne Poole, Halifax; great-grandchildren, Claire, Anna and Teddy Moore; Rose, Pete and Cora Hotchkiss and Harrison Roy. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins to whom she was especially close.

Phyllis was born in Moser River, NS on June 6, 1928 to Ralph and Eugenia [Fancy] Powell and grew up in this small, close-knit community surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Phyllis attended Provincial Normal College in Truro, and subsequently taught school in Necum Teuch, Greenhead and Goodwood, NS. In 1951, Phyllis was married to Harry Poole and they built a home in Fairview where they resided for 67 years.

Family was very important to Mom and she was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She hosted countless family gatherings filled with love and good food. Mom never missed a birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion to have a get together. Mom was very generous and caring and in addition to all of her family members she baked birthday cakes for aunts, uncles and friends. She was the glue that bound us all together and the matriarch of our family. Until recent years, when she struggled with dementia, Phyllis kept lifelong friendships alive and was still in touch with Tena Millar, a special friend of 90 years, from her childhood in Moser River.

Phyllis and Harry hosted annual family gatherings at their cottage in Moser River. On the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends many extended family members would fill the yard with tents and camping trailers to enjoy time outside together, boat and swim in the river, share potluck meals, and laughs, songs and stories around the campfire and fireworks. Phyllis and Harry were instrumental in fostering family ties and ensuring we all had an opportunity to spend time together.

The Presbyterian Church was central to Mom‘s life and she was involved in the work of the church all of her life. She taught Sunday School while growing up in Moser River and became a founding member of Calvin Presbyterian Church when she lived in Halifax. She taught Mission Band and served on many church committees through the years. She was a member of the Ladies Guild, served on the Board of Managers and volunteered at the Food Bank. Phyllis was one of the first women to be elected as an elder at Calvin Church. She was also a life-long member of the Atlantic Missionary Society, and served as President for 18 years.

We are grateful for the care provided by Dr. Angela Morash and the entire team at Flemming Way, Parkstone Enhanced Care, Clayton Park. We also wish to thank her loyal friends from Calvin Church, Marian Smith and Margaret Craig, her Elder, Barbara Fris, and her cousin Christine Heggelin, for their many visits and tireless friendships.

We feel very blessed that Mom was part of our lives. May she rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Calvin Presbyterian Church - Mission and Outreach, by cheque or use your Bank’s Interac e-transfer and email to [email protected] (with a note indicating in memory of Phyllis Poole) or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will take place at JA Snow Funeral Home, Halifax, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday January 23.

The Funeral Service will be held at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 3311 Ashburn Avenue, Halifax at 11am on Friday January 24.

Interment will be held in Moser River at a later date.