Obituary
Viola Margaret (Lola) Bennett, 81
Sydney Mines
It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Viola on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the Northside Community Guest Home after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Born September 16, 1941, to Edgar and Jessie (Wolstenholme) Bennett, Sydney Mines, Viola was a graduate of Sydney Mines High and Business College in Sydney Nova Scotia. She got her first job working at the Hackett Law Office in North Sydney, NS. When Mr. Hackett retired, the firm was taken over by Ryan & Ryan, where she worked for many years until her retirement. Even in retirement, she still worked part-time at home for McLennan Law Office of North Sydney, until Mora McLennan’s retirement. She lived at her home on Yorke St, Sydney Mines until her Parkinson’s progressed to a point where she had to leave her home and entered the Northside Community Guest Home on September 16, 2020. The staff there treated her like family and provided her with the best of care.
From early to late in life, Viola enjoyed travelling. She loved going to Disney World for March break and would always take one of her young nieces or nephews with her.
Viola loved all her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews as if they were her own children.
She always took great joy in hearing about their life’s adventures.
Viola also enjoyed going to Ontario, visiting Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins, and then on to Las Vegas.
She took many Bus Tours to the Eastern United States with Mom and Dad and especially loved going to Nashville.
In the mid to late 60s Viola was involved in organizing a group called The Northside Theatrical Club, and they would do Variety Concerts all over the island.
She had a love of Celtic music and helped organize the first concert in Sydney Mines in 1969 for John Allan Cameron, and also the first Cape Breton concert for Ryan’s Fancy. This led to many kitchen parties over the years at the Bennett’s house, and a long-lasting family relationship with many artists, especially John Allan, Angela, and Stuart Cameron.
She would attend many of these concerts all over the Maritimes with her friend Bernadette MacDonald.
Viola was a lifetime member of Carman United Church and a member of their Choir for many years.
Special thanks to Doctors Andrew and Alex Wawer, and the staff of the Northside Guest Home.
Viola is survived by brothers Ed (Mary), and Allie (Cindy), sisters Deanie Gardner, and Lorna Ings (Junior), sister-in-law Glenda Bennett, many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. Viola was predeceased by her parents Edgar and Jessie Bennett, brother Howard (Glenda), sister-in-law Kathleen Bennett, and brother-in-law Wilson Gardner.
Visitation Monday, December 19, 4-7 pm in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St. Sydney Mines. Celebration of Life Tuesday, at 11 am in Carman United Church, 1 Clyde Ave., Sydney Mines, with Rev. Nick Phillips officiating. Interment at a later date. Covid masking is required at the Church. Family flowers only. Donations in her memory may be made to Carman United Church, Parkinson Society, or the charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
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September 16 1941 December 13 2022 81 Years Old
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Viola Lola Bennett September 16 1941 December 13 2022 81 Years Old et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia