Obituary of Elsie Mae Elms

ELMS, Elsie Mae - 94, Rear Monastery, Antigonish Co., went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, October 26, 2005, in St. Martha's Regional Hospital. Born in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of the late Lillian Rosetta (Whalen) and Thomas Campbell. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. She was a retired school teacher of 40 years having taught in Upper Big Tracadie and Rear Monastery, since the age of 17. While living in Monastery she was an active member of Tracadie United Baptist Church, holding offices as president of the Ladies Auxiliary and treasurer for over 40 years. She was active in all phases of community development and a leading advocate, which led to the construction of the Rear Monastery Community Centre. She was the founder and served as secretary and treasurer of the centre. She was a participating member of the Black Cultural Centre and Black United Front of Nova Scotia. She was the overseer of the Senior Citizens Association in her community and was a volunteer for the Antigonish Town and Country Home Care Association. She was a member and supporter of the Provincial Liberal Association. Among her many accomplishments she achieved honorary awards from the retired Teachers Association of Segregated Schools of Nova Scotia and from the Tracadie United Baptist Church Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, she also received an Outstanding Volunteer Award for her dedication and service to the Rear Monastery-Tracadie Community by the Sydney-Toronto Association. She also received an award from the Children's Aid Society for her commitment to The Foster Children's Society. She will be deeply missed by her family and fondly remembered by all. She is survived by her daughters, Alice (Paul) Ponzi, Mary Thompson, both of Toronto; Joan (Francis) Paris, New Glasgow; Lillian (Wiley) Cain, Montague Gold Mines; Carol Ann (Sam) Okpro, Pierrefonds, Que.; Angela (Angus)MacKinnon, Port Hawkesbury; foster daughter, Raine Jones, Dartmouth; sons, Gerald, at home; Frank (Agnes), Dartmouth; Wilfred, Monastery; Leslie (Rene), North Grant; Donald (Velma), Monastery; foster sons, William Jones, Edmonton; Storm Jones, Toronto; 28 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and brother, Joseph (Fannie) Howell, Glace Bay. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph; son, Kenneth; brothers, William and Arnold. Her remains are resting at the family home in Rear Monastery. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. today, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday. Funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. in Tracadie United Baptist Church, Rev. Pauline Coffin officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Donations may be made to Tracadie United Baptist Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Online condolences may be e-mailed to: [email protected]