Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Nova Scotia for funeral details
Mary Dolores “Dodie” Hawco
November 26, 1938 – February 28, 2025
They say it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to bring an elder to rest. It did for my mother at least. Born Mary Dolores Theresa Campbell, she was the first born to Mick and Josephine (Robinson) Campbell of South Bar. She was the older sister to Jimmy, Joan, Mickey, Ronnie, Cora, Patsy, Bobby, Helen, Joey, and Terry. Mom was a touchstone for her siblings, always brave, empathetic and loyal.
Mom was married in 1957 to Bernie Hawco and they lived at 321 Cartier St. until Dad’s death in 2011. Mom was blessed with two children, first Bob and then Pam three years later. Our life on Cartier St was filled with family, friends, joy, love and lots of laughter. Mom was a fabulous cook, apple pie for Bob and spaghetti for Pam and always a homemade birthday cake. As her family grew, so did her spaghetti pot.
Son-in-law, Philip Mouland (Pam) officially joined the family in 1981, soon followed by granddaughters, Amy in 1984 and Rebecca (Cruise Slater) in 1986. Mom was a fearless grandmother; she was generous, loving and intuitive with the “girls”. Next came the “boys” Luc first, then 24 days later, Xander in 2015 and finally Aidric in 2018. Mom was delighted to be known as Great Grand Nanny. The boys brought endless joy to her. They were also a place where she could recognize small traits akin to Bob. Mom saw a lot of joy and sorrow in her 86 years but none as great as the loss of her son, Bob in 2001. A piece of her heart died that day.
Always earnest and philosophical, Mom kept moving forward.
She was a woman of simple needs; she loved and respected nature, growing up by the water in South Bar introduced to Mom a kind of inner peace that followed her throughout her life. My mother was always able to turn an ordinary day into a magical adventure. She could turn simple ingredients into a gourmet meal and she could turn a conversation into a “talk” that always left people feeling better when they left her company.
Mom was a woman of faith. She belonged to the CWL, ladies guild, altar guild, prayer group and choir of Christ the King Anglican Church. There she had many friends and acquaintances. Mom worked outside the home for many years as a taxi dispatcher, she went back to school in her 50s to earn her culinary certification from NSCC and ended her working career for NS Community Services as Chief Cook at Camp Glasgow Head in Canso, NS. The counselors and campers became part of her summer family until her retirement.
The “girls” say that Mom and I were true partners in crime, we were each other’s strongest supporter and confidante. The years we spent together, baking, cooking, travelling, talking, laughing and crying can’t be measured. The times only got better with each new addition to our family.
If her family was the light in her heart, Gabarus and everything that it encompassed was the balm to her soul. She spent close to 45 years first with Bernie, the kids and the friends on the level, then later with Pam and Philip with her granddaughters and their families. There were countless hours picking mussels, jigging mackerel, picking berries, frying fish, monster stories and music in the fishhouse and around the campfire. It truly was her happy place.
For the last number of years Gabarus was her incentive to keep going, even as her illness closed in, she never gave up her independence. Courageous and determined, she lived out her last days supported by her village: Pam, Philip, Amy, Rebecca and their families; her nieces, especially Audrey, Francie, Vanessa; her cousin, Melba; her nephews, many friends and family; the Palliative Care team including, Nurse Brett Gillis, Dr. Andrew Giorno; her Hospice CB team led by Dr. Anne Francis D’Intino; Dr. Gordon Yeung and the CBRH Renal Clinic; EHS, VON and Sydney Homemakers. This village allowed my mom, fondly known as, “Miss Daisy”, to stay independent to the end. Thank you all.
Mom felt she didn’t need an obituary to be published. She forgot she inspired three very headstrong women who would never miss the opportunity to tell the world about her. Though she may have lived an ordinary life, it was marked by extraordinary connections and immense love. We can only hope to carry on and honour the legacy of the strength and independence she instilled in us, meeting every situation and stranger with kindness, compassion and understanding.
We love you Daisy,
Pam, Amy and Rebecca
Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Sydney Memorial Chapel. Funeral Service will be held in the Church of Christ the King on Saturday, March 8th at 2 p.m. with Rev. Laura McCue officiating. Following the service, a reception will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel
Memorials may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.com
2025
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Mary Dolores Dodie Hawco 2025
obituaries notice Mary Dolores Dodie Hawco 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Dolores Dodie Hawco 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
