Olive Florence (Higgs) Tetford
1916-2019
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Olive Florence
(Higgs) Tetford of Kings Road, Sydney, formerly of 127 Cottage Road.
Mum passed away Sunday, March 24, 2019, at the Cape Breton Regional
Hospital, Sydney, in her 104th
year.
Olive was the oldest of five daughters born to the late
Armour (MacVay) and Ambrose Higgs in Neville, Saskatchewan on January
13, 1916.
Her early years were spent in southern Saskatchewan and
northern Alberta. As a teenager, Mum moved with her family to her
mother’s home in Sydney. She completed her education at
Empire Business School and joined the staff of the former Brookfield
Dairy, where she worked until her marriage to the late Charlie Tetford
in 1938. Along with raising her five children, she also cared for
three foster children. She derived much pleasure working with young
girls in the neighbourhood as their Brown Owl. Mum was very active in
three different Home and School associations, a member of the Sydney
School Board, Beinn Bhreagh chapter of the I.O. D.E., White Cross
volunteers and was the last founding member of the Mira Boat Club. An
accomplished seamstress, she taught many women to sew at night school,
as well as opened a fabric shop in her home. Mum was activities
director at the former Spring Garden Villa Nursing Home. For the last
several years, Mum’s Wednesday afternoons were brightened by
visits from her quilting ladies. Mum enjoyed summers spent at the
family bungalow in Mira. Her love of travel brought her to all corners
of the earth.
Olive was predeceased by her parents; her husband; daughter,
Shirley “Bishy” Rydman; son, Wilfred “Wickie”
Berrigan; sisters, Pauline Collier, Frances Reeves, Corinne Urquhart
and Jackie Wilson.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Nancy (Dan)
MacKinnon, New Waterford, David (Judy), Sydney, Brenda (Billy) Dalton,
Mira and Brian (Annette), Mira; 14 grandchildren, 29
great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces
and nephews.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Sydney
Memorial Chapel. Respecting Mum’s wishes, there will be no
visitation or funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held in
the summer with family and friends.
A special thank you to her friend and neighbour, Jean Brann.
Thank you to the home care ladies who made it possible for Mum to
remain where she wanted to be, at home. Words can not express our
sincere appreciation.
Memorials in memory of Mum, who was an avid reader and
library user, may be made to the Cape Breton Regional
Library’s Central Library Building Fund in her
memory.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca
or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Olive Florence Higgs Tetford 19162019..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia