Obituary of Faustina (Tina) Blandin, Sydney

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. 

Tina was born Faustina Marie Mulrooney and raised in Newfoundland. Raised in a family of 13,  she fondly spoke of the time she spent making memories with siblings. Maybe it was a friendly game of darts or cards over a few drinks and cigarettes with good ole’ newfie tunes or a game of bingo at the Dunville Lions Club. Her Newfoundland roots ran deep even after leaving The Rock to be near family in Nova Scotia in 1998.  Always enjoying a good kitchen party, fishing with friends, and an occasional trip back to The Rock for a wedding, funeral, or the Fox Harbour Garden party when she had the opportunity. 

To some, her life may appear to have been extra ordinary. Tina could be very stubborn, always preferring to have things her way. She did not love to travel to exotic places (given that she did in fact manage to get lost in an elevator, she may have had her reasons).  She was a homebody to her core. She spent many hours curled up with a book, doing crosswords and playing Facebook games when she could get technology to work. Her goal was always to avoid the cold in the winter and soak up sunshine when summer allowed. She loved to clean, and always had a home cooked supper on the table.  Tina was employed over the course of her life in a variety of settings, doing it all.  She was a bartender, industrial cleaner, and small scale baker. She enjoyed spending her Sundays cooking a big boiled dinner, only made better by her raisin pudding. She would often do this to the sound of OZFM’s Jigs and Reels or her ipod songs with a glass of kaluha and milk. Her dinners regularly produced enough leftovers for a pan of salt beef hash served right along a big slice of her own homemade bread. There was always enough to feed an army. As it turns out, the words “small pot” were not in her vocabulary. In 2008 she became a grandmother. This was her favorite role in life. For them, she did travel. Tina lived her life exactly as she wanted, and that to us is extraordinary.

She leaves behind to mourn her children, Shane (Keri), Marilyn (Miller), and Colleen (Jody). She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, Haydn, Madden, Callie, Clarke and Davis. Her pride for grandchildren is undeniable. They will forever cherish their “Nanny B”. She also leaves behind siblings, many nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends. Tina was predeceased by far too many of her loved ones to name individually. This includes but is not limited to grandparents, parents , brothers, sisters, cousins,  nephews, inlaws and friends. Most notably, she lost her husband David in 1997. Their marriage was short but their love has lasted her lifetime.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all the medical professionals and volunteers that have been involved in mom’s care in this 18 month journey.

Unless they were of the paper variety, the woman thought roses or flowers might be beautiful but a big waste of money. In lieu of flowers make a donation to your grandchildren's piggy banks if you have those blessings in your life. Alternatively, buy yourself a beer and celebrate her life.  

To the woman who lived, loved, laughed and cried. You lived your life surrounded by those you loved and laughed at every opportunity. The hardships you endured in your life shows that strength isn’t always having things go your way, it’s finding your way through. Somehow, you always did. Every single health professional responsible for your care commented on your undeniable strength. We love you mom and we promise that in your death we will remember the good, forget the bad, and make sure your 5 grandchildren will always know you loved them even more than us.  

Cremation has taken place. A private funeral service will be held in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, New Waterford, with father Jim Oliver officiating. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.