Obituary of Edwina 'Dinny' Kavanaugh, N.W.

It is with heavy hearts that we say good-bye to our loving mother and yet, our spirits are lifted that she is at peace and with all who have made the journey before her. While mom’s spirit remained strong, her body began to let her down. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and love. Born in New Waterford on May 13, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Carroll and Janet (MacKay) Haley. Our mom was kind, generous, loving and hard working. She went to great extremes to care for her family and made many sacrifices. She was very proud to tell you that besides raising eight children, she worked for over 25 years. Her last job was Maple Hill Manor where she retired and made lasting friendships. Growing up, our home was welcome to all so to say she was mom to eight would be a lie. She was ‘mom’ to many. Mom enjoyed going to bingo and the casino where she made many friends. She was also a very proud and dedicated Liberal who ran many offices throughout her life. Surviving are daughters, Janice Wareham, Jessie (Dougie) Poirier; sons, Tommy (Mary), Kenny (Monica), Jackie (Shauna), Robert (Bernice), Dan (Alana); son-in-law, Angelo (Maggie) Markotjohn; special grandson, Chad, who was like another son to her; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brothers, Eddie, Bill (Shirley), Len (Claire). Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband, John ‘Bo’ Kavanaugh, who we can almost hear singing once again to mom – You with the stars in your eyes Edwina; daughter, Patricia Markotjohn; son-in-law, Danny Wareham; sister-in-law, Bertha Haley. Special thanks to Shirley Hogan for her constant loving care for our mom – you know she loved you. Thank you to VON, Palliative Care, Red Cross, 2nd floor New Waterford Hospital, Dr. Azer and Dr. Campbell for all your care and compassion and Father Huntley. Also to her extended family at 763 King Street where our mom resided the past four years. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass of celebration will be held in the Parish Church of St. Leonard at a later date. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, River Ryan. Donations in mom’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.