Millicent “Hope” LANGILLE
August 19, 1927 – October 13, 2021
LANGILLE, (Grovestine) Millicent “Hope”
Age 94, of Halifax, passed away peacefully at her home in Drummond Hall. She went to be with the Lord on October 13th, 2021, with loved ones by her side.
Hope was born on August 19th,1927 in Shelburne, NS. She was the sixth child born to Charles and Mary (Miller) Grovestine. As a young woman, Hope left Shelburne to study nursing in Yarmouth. Her early nursing career took her to work in hospitals in Montreal, Quebec & then in Barrie Ontario. However, her father became ill back in Shelburne, and she answered her mother’s request to come home to Shelburne to help care for her father. The timing was a fortunate twist of fate, leading her to meet the love of her life, Keith, whom she soon married in Shelburne.
Early married life involved a move to New York to further Keith’s education. It was there that their first son, David, was born. David, the oldest of their four boys still resides in the US. Keith and Hope moved back to Shelburne, where their second son, John, was born, and then shortly later moved to Yarmouth where Lyman and Bruce were born. Family life and raising her boys was Hope’s passion. After moving to Halifax in 1967, she continued to be the ultimate wife, mom and homemaker keeping busy with cooking, baking, hosting bridge parties, volunteering with Halifax Skating Club, and driving back and forth to the Ice rinks. Life was boisterous and fast paced, keeping busy and involved with the boys, their squadron of friends and constant activities.
Hope and Keith provided a wonderful home full of love and encouragement and embraced all who passed through their door with enduring friendship.
There were always cookies in the cupboard and more in the freezer. Hope was the gourmet queen of ‘meat and potatoes’ for supper and took immense pride in working in her kitchen. After the boys became a little older, Hope went back to work to further her nursing career. There were many joyous summer vacations, either at the cottage on the Mira River, or travelling the roads in their travel trailer. Hope was all in, caring for her family with a firm and loving hand. When Keith retired, several of the following years were split into winters in Florida and summers back home in Shelburne, enjoying the love and company of remaining Grovestine family members.
After Keith passed away in 1990, Hope moved back to Halifax, where she embraced the joys of being a supportive and doting grandmother always willing to lend a hand to her sons & daughters-in law, in caring for their growing families. At the same time, she was proudly independent, living close alone in her own apartment, and driving her standard VW Jetta around town for as long as she could. Eventually a knee replacement in 2016 significantly slowed her down and led to her move to an assisted living facility in Parkland where she eventually landed at her final address in Drummond Hall.
Hope was the most diligent phone caller always enjoying the opportunity to keep up to date with all her extended family and many friends and to share any & all family news.
Most days you could expect one, two, and sometimes three calls depending on the activities she needed to share. She loved the visits and calls from her boys, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her son John dropped in frequently, so she kept her cookie jar filled for teatime with him. Bruce kept her phone busy while Lyman (and both Susans) ran around getting this or that for her and taking her to appointments. Hope was mentally keen for all her 94 years. Her body was simply worn out.
She lived, loved, laughed much and was a good friend to so many. As she got older, her direct, sometimes unfiltered, brutally honest words, to those she felt comfortable around, got her into a little trouble on occasion…but you always knew what she was thinking, and where she stood with things, whether you wanted to or not. At the same time, she never failed to express her love for family & closest friends.
Hope is survived by her sons David (Brenda) of Virginia Beach, Lyman (Susan) of Halifax; and daughter in law Susan Langille of Bedford. Her nine grandchildren include David, Heather, Laura, Lindsay, Allison, Alanna, Natalie (with whom she shared a birthday and a middle name) Cameron, Lisa (who also shares her middle name) and eight great grandchildren; Weston, Stella, Peter, Ryan, Jett, Beckett, Harrison, and Rose Millicent.
She had special nieces that kept her ‘in the loop’ with all the Grovestine and Langille family news. A very special & loving friend, Dale Wagner, was not only a great support to Hope but also another faithful Blue Jays fan. She and Hope watched many games together over the past 11 years.
Besides her parents, Hope was predeceased by her husband Keith, sons John and Bruce; and a daughter in infancy; her brothers, Cyril, Roger, Don, Floyd, and Jeff; and sisters, Myrna, Connie, and Mary Lou.
We thank the staff at Parkland for taking such diligent care of Hope. Thank you for allowing her to live out her life with your love and support. Some of you went the extra mile for her and it did not go unnoticed. We as a family appreciate the medical team and staff for all they did, big and small, for Hope during all the years she was under your care. She did have her favourites and you know who you are…
The family will be holding a graveside committal service for Hope, later, in Shelburne, where her ashes will be laid to rest with her husband Keith.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Millicent “Hope LANGILLE August 19 1927 October 13 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia
My sincere sympathy to all of Hope’s family
Margaret Kemp