Obituary of Hermine Getto, New Waterford

Hermine passed away peacefully on October 19, 2021 at Maple Hill Manor in New Waterford. Family members stayed close to her bedside, holding her hand and expressing their love, in her final days. Born in Inverness, Nova Scotia in 1924, Hermine was the child of the late Matilda Gillis (Margaree) and Joseph Getto (Hungary). She grew up on Forrest Street and always maintained an enthusiastic connection to Inverness. As a young adult, Hermine and her siblings moved to New Waterford with their mother, where she worked as a bank teller for RBC. In the footsteps of her sister Matilda, Hermine later moved to Montreal and worked as a bookkeeper at the Stagecoach Inn Restaurant. Her youngest sister, Sylvia, followed suit for a brief time, and together they experienced the city night life together as single women. Hermine was a loyal friend and family member, maintaining letter and phone correspondence with loved ones across decades. Her simple pleasures were watching baseball and curling, playing cards and darts, and observing the peculiarities of her canary, Sweetie, and moody cat, Pew. Hermine was known as a good-humoured, independent woman throughout her long life. She would keep a small bottle of gin in her purse on festive occasions and could turn celebrations up an octave with a fun party toy or silly birthday hat. Her superpower was an ability to form special bonds with people. Young grandnieces and nephews gravitated to Hermine, because of her playful personality and open heart. She made everyone feel loved and accepted– if you felt different, or like an outsider, she would cherish you all the more. Hermine returned to New Waterford in her retirement and enriched the lives of her family nearby. Her home was a safe space where holiday scavenger hunts and sleepovers on her pull-out couch were memorable activities. She kept an archive of photos, drawings, and media clippings for each grand-niece and nephew and presented it to them at high school graduation. She was the glue that kept the far reaches of the Getto family bonded. Everyone returned to the beach village in Inverness during Gathering week each summer, convening around her and her siblings. Always keen to go in the ocean, Hermine could be seen splashing in the waves with the kids wearing her swim cap. Attending the Broad Cove Concert and horse races with family was an annual highlight. We would like to extend gratitude to the healthcare professionals at Acadia House and the Maple Hill Manor for their respectful and compassionate care to Hermine, and for providing solace to us all during her journey towards death. Hermine is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews and their children, all of whom adored her. She was predeceased by her immediate family, which includes her parents and siblings, Rosie Habicht, Leonie Hadley, Margaret Thurbide, Georgina MacDonald, Catherine Marchesin, Matilda Blouin, Sylvia Medjuck, Carl Getto, and Sarah Wellner. As per her wishes, there will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and guidance of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. A family graveside service will be held at a later date in Mt. Carmel Cemetery with Father Peter McLeod officiating. Donations in her memory may be made to the Maple Hill Manor Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.