The family of Vange McMaster are saddened to announce her peaceful passing at the age of 87 on November 20, 2025 at Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility where she resided for the last three and a half years.  

Vange was born in New Waterford to the late Francis and Alvina (Sampson) Ruelland. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband John (Junior) McMaster, son Frankie McMaster, brothers Maurice, Francis, George, and Joseph.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Karen McMaster; sons Kevin (Shirley), Gerard (Crystal), Tommy (Denise), Ernie (Kim); daughter Colleen Thompson (Curtis); sister Louise Beaton; brother Louis Ruelland as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was a loving grandmother to Nicole, Trevor, Amie, Kevin Jr, Shaylynn, Carter, Matthew, Shane, Kyle, Andrew, Jaden, Ashton and Dane.  Also left to mourn her passing are her great-grandchildren Alyssa, Lucas, Mason and Skylar.   

She married her loving husband John in April 1956 and they were happily married for 46 years until his passing in 2002.  During that time they welcomed their six children into their lives. There was so much love to share in the household that over the years they fostered many children as well.  A large part of her life was her regular attendance at Saturday Mass with her sister, and best friend, Louise and this devotion shone through in every aspect of her life.  

In her later years, she worked as a crossing guard at Mount Carmel Elementary School. She loved greeting the children everyday and making sure they were safe on their walk to school.  

In 2022, Vange moved to Harbourstone Enhanced Care. Irish Cove became her new home and she quickly embraced the amazing staff with the same love that she had for her family. They quickly learned that she gave the best hugs and she also had a punch that could outmatch Mike Tyson himself and could often be found sparring with Nicole’s husband Gerard who got great enjoyment joking with her. Vange was always the life of the party with a laugh that was contagious. She got great enjoyment anytime there was music being played and even in her advanced age she could still move with the best of them. She had many close friends there over the years that she enjoyed spending time with.  It was truly a comfort to her family to know she had a great support and care system with the staff during the times her family could not be there. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Harbourstone for taking such great care of the woman that shaped so many of our lives.  

We wish we could get one more of her hugs that would melt your heart in hopes that it would help to mend our broken hearts.

Cremation has taken place under the care and guidance of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass will be held at a later date with burial to follow.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.