Irene Susanna (Nash) Bullen
November 5, 1929 – September 23, 2022
Our dearest mother and grandmother, formerly of Bedford, NS, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2022 at the QEII. She was 92. Lovingly missed by children Edie (Dennis) Hippern; George (Susan) Bullen; Ron (Barbara) Bullen; Sandra (Wayne) Brothers; Brenda (John) MacDonald; and son-in-law Fred Forsyth. 13 Grandchildren: Colin (Shelley) Hippern; Angela Myers; David Bullen; Melissa Bullen (Andrew); Krista Bullen (Matt); Natalie (Julian) Dickinson; Greg (Erin) Brothers; Erin Brothers (Marc); Ryan (Adelle) MacDonald; Sarah (James) Nunn; James Forsyth; Samantha (Justin) Turner; Abby Forsyth (Dennis). 2 Step-grandchildren Dan MacLellan; JoAnn (Kevin) Nauss. 16 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters/brothers-in-law: Joan Nash, Mary Bullen, Lila Bullen, Merrill Bullen, Hubert Bullen, Hubert Honeycott and special nieces
and nephews.
Irene was proudly born in Saddle Island, Newfoundland as the youngest of 7 children May(Keeping), Jack Nash, Lew Nash, Stan Nash, David (Dorcey) Nash, and Mary(Durnford) to parents Charles and FrancesNash. She was the last one remaining. Irene moved to Halifax in 1944 and met her true love a few years later. They married and started their family of 6 children over the next many years. They celebrated their 70 th wedding anniversary in 2017. Irene was a stay-at-home mom and worked diligently to feed, cloth and run a household. Often outside hanging clothes
or in the vegetable garden, she would enjoy chatting with her lifelong friends and neighbours, Rita and Bud Colp. That friendship spanned over 60 years.
Evenings might be a little different as Irene and George often hosted their Newfoundland friends and
relatives to a rousing game of crib or 45’s at the kitchen table. It wasn’t uncommon to hear a loud knuckle-
rap, on the table, when a winning-card was played. This was always followed by boasting and much laughter.
If not cards, than a night out dancing with the energetic crowd at the Newfoundland Social Club.
Irene was a strong, independent woman and a hard-worker who practiced reduce-reuse-recycle always.
Growing their own vegetables, picking berries, hunting, fishing, then canning, bottling or freezing their
rewards. Irene was very well-organized and great at managing her home and money. She possessed great
time management before it was a thing and was brilliant with numbers.
After most of hers were on their own, Irene went to work part-time at Zellers Ladies Department. She loved
her job, the clothes and being with nice people. She took pride in her appearance and always looked
beautiful. For many years, Irene was an active member of All Saints Anglican Church in Bedford where she
sang in the choir and volunteered regularly in church services and functions. She loved her church, the choir
and the volunteer ladies and the worthwhile work they were doing. Irene was generous with her many
charities to which she gave regularly. One being Christmas Daddies and her church.
Irene simply adored her grandchildren and their families! It was when around them, that one could easily see
her “soft, nurturing and fun side”. While over the years she kept her own children “in line” or tried, the
grandchildren were all fun, food and hugs! Most will remember the smells of dinner cooking , homemade
bread and baked goods as they entered their grandparents home. You never got out the door without being
offered a cup of tea and something to eat or a handful of coloured mini marshmallows! However if you were
her own kid, you may hear, “Here, eat this piece of lemon loaf! If you don’t eat it, I am going to have to throw
it out!” It might be going stale or getting there but “Waste not, want not” was often heard! The frequent card
playing, which was Irene’s favourite leisure thing to do, right to the very end, was passed down to all of her
family as well. We even managed to get some of the in-laws on board. Let’s all take a moment to have a cup
of tea and a game of crib in her memory. She would like that.
In her later years, Irene suffered from Parkinson’s. She slowly lost her ability to walk, cook and care for her
Bedford home which she loved. Irene moved into Parkland Clayton Park once George passed on. She was
cared for and we are very thankful for all the staff within and from outside Parkland, who spent time to know
her, care for her and cheer her up. Some became very close in her 4 years there. She called Betty and
Gillian her angels and her friends.She loved it when they came into her room. She appreciated time spent
with friends Irene Cluett and Nina Johns in Cameron Hall. Thank you also to the health care team at the QEII
emergency and 8.4 for your wonderful care during her final days.
She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is now no longer suffering
from her Parkinson’s lack of mobility. Her smile, laughter, hugs and caring for others will never to be
forgotten. Mom, Nana, Irene, Renie in our hearts forever.
There will be a funeral service at All Saints Anglican Church Bedford, on Friday, September 30 th at 1pm.
Reception to follow. Masks are required for this service due to vulnerabilities of some family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or All
Saints Church in Irene’s memory.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Irene Susanna Nash Bullen November 5 1929 September 23 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Halifax, Province: Nova Scotia