Obituary for
Alanna Susanne Jenkins
Alanna Susanne Jenkins, Wentworth/New Glasgow, June 13, 1983- April 19, 2020. “To shine your brightest light is to be who you really are.” (Roy T. Bennett). In our darkest hour, our brightest light has gone out, never to shine again. With an overwhelming sadness and beyond broken hearts, we are left to grieve the loss of our beautiful daughter and loving sister to Josh, who with her partner, “our son-in-law” Sean, and their wonderful neighbour, Tom, was taken from us in a senseless, tragic act on Sunday, April, 19, 2020.
From the moment Alanna was born on June 13, 1983, she was the light of our life that never stopped shining. Being the first grandchild to maternal grandparents, Bette and the late Charlie Munro, she was the apple of their eyes and she spent many overnights and special times with Nannie, Grampie and Sis. She was no less loved by paternal grandparents, the late Jean and Dan Jenkins, and certainly held a special place in their hearts. Alanna was a beautiful, strong, warm and loving soul who lit up a room whenever she walked into it. That beautiful smile, a special spark and laugh full of fun defined her. Her greatest loves were Sean, family, friends and especially being stepmom to Sean’s two girls, Taylor and Mia, as well as being Nana Lana to sweet little Ellie!
She dearly loved kids, she was like a magnet to them. If you were lucky to be her friend, you knew she always had your back. Together she and Sean lived life to the fullest, loving their little piece of heaven on Hunter Road with their Hunter Road family, all getting along together so well. They enjoyed four-wheeling, fishing, hunting, tubing down the river and quite often ending at their place for a kitchen/man cave party or a bonfire, always with lots of food and beverages on hand. Oh, and let’s not forget the music and Saturday night hoedown! They also loved hosting family events, cooking together for everyone, especially Thanksgiving, which was becoming a tradition that we all loved and the last couple of years, Christmas was added to the mix. She loved Christmas and oh what a tree they had! Family gatherings at the “cottage” were so special.
One of Alanna’s favourite places, as she would say, was Chance Harbour Paradise at the cottage with her Chance Harbour family. Again, she would be the first to get the party started. She loved dancing and singing and could she sing-60’s, 70’s, up to present day and knew every single word. How many times have we heard her sing “Delta Dawn” or Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” She loved to play cards; a good game of crib, wizard or golf was never turned down.
She loved a trip south of the border, sometimes heading as far as Boston for a visit, a little shopping and maybe a concert thrown in and she always did the driving! Together they enjoyed an annual trip south and several times we all went as a family with Taylor, Mia, Logan, Ellie and Josh, times to be cherished forever.
In her professional life, Alanna was a graduate of New Glasgow High School and later St. F.X. University where mentor and friend, Margo Watt, lit a fire under Alanna with her Forensic Psychology classes and field trips. This led her to working at Nova Institute for Women as a correctional officer and manager for the last 15 years. From all accounts, she was very good at her job and was well respected in her work environment.
Alanna is going to be so dearly missed by so many special people: her Nan, Bette Munro, New Glasgow; her beautiful step-daughters, Taylor (Logan) and Mia, as well as beautiful granddaughter, Ellie; uncle Wayne Munro (Jill and Henry); aunt Kim “Sis” (David); aunts: Linda (Hugh) MacDonald; Eva “Debbie” Edwards; Gladys Lorimer; Elsie Ryan; Doris (Roger) Dixon; uncle Foster (Dot) Jenkins; uncle Bill (Ingrid) Crandall; numerous cousins; in-laws, Dale and Audrey McLeod; her Hunter Road family; our Chance Harbour family; work family; Springhill family; our Es Drive family and so many special friends who have been like family over the years! We cannot forget Alanna and Sean’s two Labradors, Bama and Remi, who perished with them.
To us, Dan, Sue and Josh and the rest of Alanna’s family, she was our “everything”, our beautiful little girl who grew into an amazing woman. She was our world, our friend, a wonderful daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece who cared so dearly for everyone. She was our technical advisor and our voice of reason, “Dad, you have to social distance; you can’t get sick.” She was our bright light.
At this time, due to COVID-19, there will be no visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to be determined. Donations in Alanna’s memory can be made to benefit their two daughters, Taylor and Mia, and granddaughter, Ellie, where a trust has been established at: www.gofundme.com/f/sean-amp-alanna or donations to a local children’s charity in her name. Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Condolences may be sent by visiting: www.rhporter.ca
We thank everyone who has reached out these last few days and in the days to come. It has been completely overwhelming. The love shown to our family is unimaginable. Please hug your loved ones every chance you get! To the RCMP, our deepest appreciation for doing your jobs and working relentlessly to find our beautiful girl. And to Tom, who we will never forget, you gave your life to help your friends. Goodbye sweet girl, we love you so much! Dad, Mom and Josh.
If We Could Have a Lifetime Wish
(Author unknown)
If we could have a lifetime wish
A dream that would come true
We’d pray to God with all our hearts
For yesterday and You.
A thousand words can’t bring you back
We know because we’ve tried…
Neither will a thousand tears
We know because we’ve cried…
You left behind our broken hearts
And happy memories too…
But we never wanted memories
we only wanted you.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alanna Susanne
Jenkins 1983 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia
Words can’t stop the pain I know but please know my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this tragic time, my sincerest condolences too Alanna’s family and friends ((hugs))