Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CAPE BRETON GENEALOGY & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE - <http://www.cbgen.org/ <http://www.cbgen.org/>>www.cbgen.org <http://www.cbgen.org/> NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Cape Breton Deaths March 26, 2016 Saturday There were 8 obituaries published today Karen Ann LeDrew - Gregory Anthony O’Flaherty - 67 yrs Theresa Anne Zahara - 73 yrs Alvina Marie Greene - 88 yrs Rosaire Paquette - Memorial Mass Joyce Fennell Avent - Catherine “Cassie” Whalen - 96 yrs Bernard James “BJ” Cooke - 23 yrs Karen Ann LeDrew Born In: Sydney Passed in: Whitney Pier Passed on: March 20th, 2016 "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, we would walk side by side through life, but when I needed you the most‎, I saw only one set of footprints in the sand. The Lord replied, "I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." ‎It is with heavy hearts (and of course lighter smiles) that we announce the sudden passing of our beautiful and beloved Earth Angel, Karen LeDrew. Karen was released from her body on Sunday, Mar. 20, 2016 at home, when she took her final breaths of the life she was (and still is) so passionately in love with. Touching down on Earth in Sydney, Karen was the daughter and light of the late Seaward and Nellie MacLean‎. At the time of her passing Karen was penning a memoir, more fervent and eager than ever to share the story of her personal revelations in both her Spiritual journey and courageous life adventure. Karen was born an uplifter and is a teacher to her core. She will forever be remembered for her comedic and contagious life affirming Spirit, her enlightening smile, her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and what has come to be recognized as her personal and appropriately coined slogan of inspiration... "Smile. Smile. Smile‎." Those who've been blessed to have shared time with Karen, however short or long, are undoubtedly left with indelible impressions of her love, strength, courage, faith, spontaneity, humour and above all else her unmistakable embodiment of joy. Karen’s passion is sharing her faith in both written and spoken word and teaching unconditional love through humour, impeccably timed wisdom and heart hitting poetry. She did this with daily sharings online, many personal letters and journals, lots of (long distance) phone calls... and of course over many coffees in person. Karen lives on and will be forever celebrated in the daily lives of her children whom she is more proud of than words could ever describe, Thomas LeDrew (her Rock), Kyle MacLean (her little big boy), Daniel MacLean (her Angel), David MacLean (her #1 son), twin beauties, Shelly and Sheila MacLean (Mamma's baby girls); her beautiful grandchildren, Jeremy, Jacob, Brandon, Johnathan, Alyssa and Emma; her great-grandchild, baby Eli; her big sisters, Margie Hollohan, Wanda Murrin, Kimberly, Debbie Pratt, Nancy Aboud; baby sister, Sherry; big brothers, Fraser MacLean and Dougie MacLean; many beautiful nieces, nephews and godchildren, Valerie and Chantel; as well as the many friends whom she has touched in her short time with us. Karen joins her late husband, Gordon ‘Bucky’ LeDrew and grandson, Justin, in eternal life. Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Karen Ann LeDrew will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Tuesday, Mar. 29, 2016. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with service to follow at 1 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Light refreshments will be served in the reception area following the service. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Donations in memory of Karen may be made to Cape Breton Mental Health Foundation. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home. Online condolences may be forward to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com. Gregory Anthony O'Flaherty Born In: Sydney Born: March 25th, 1948 Passed in: Sydney Passed on: March 24th, 2016 It is with heavy hearts that we, the family of Gregory Anthony O’Flaherty, announce the sudden passing of a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather on March 24, 2016, at home, one day before his 68th birthday. Born in Sydney on March 25,1948, he was the eldest son of the late Gregory and Jennie (Strangis) O’Flaherty. Greg is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Marie (Whitty); son, Greg (Cara), Sydney; daughter, Jennifer (Raymond), Sydney. He is also survived by his pride and joy, his grandsons, Gregory Francis & Raymond Anthony, who affectionately called him “Grumpy” or “Papa”. Greg also leaves behind his brother, Dennis (Betty) O’Flaherty, New Norway, Alta., Robert, Calgary, Alta. and one sister, Colleen (Ed) Melski, Brantford, Ont. And his extended family, who were especially close to him, John (Nicole) Whitty, P.E.I., Mike (Dana) Whitty, North Sydney, Mabel Ivey and her daughter, Kerri-Ann, who was also Greg’s goddaughter. Greg was also predeceased by his mother and father-in-law, John Hector & Eva (Hicks) Whitty, North Sydney and many friends that he has made along the way. Greg has always had a deep passion for cars, which led to his career in automotive mechanics. If there was a car, or friend in need Greg was there with a tool to lend a hand. Greg was a founding member of the Cape Breton Antique and Custom Car Club and has held numerous positions within the club until his passing. Greg’s passion started at a young age, as did his collection of antique cars and trucks you could always find him driving around in something older than he was. Hot wheels started it all if Greg had his choice I am sure he would be cruising around in the 48 Ford or the 57 Chevy today. Visitation for Greg will be on Tuesday, March 29th from 6-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, March 30th at 11 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Church, 381 Whitney Ave. with a reception at the parish hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested you make a donation to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com. Theresa Anne Zahara Passed in: Glace Bay Passed on: March 21st, 2016 It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Theresa Anne Zahara, 73, of Seaview Manor, Glace Bay and formerly of New Waterford on March 21, 2016 at Seaview Manor. Born in New Waterford, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Helena (Rose) Oliver. Theresa was a member of the former Mount Carmel parish, currently the Parish Church of St. Leonard. She was known to have a great sense of humour and thoroughly enjoyed telling jokes and singing while being surrounded by family and friends. Surviving are her daughter, Karen Zahara (Will Petrac), Toronto, Ont.; sons, Stewart (Patricia), Barrie, Ont. and Brent (Michelle), Sydney, N.S.; brother, Robert (Clara), Maynooth, Ont.; five grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 27 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Monday, March 28, at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Fr. Jim Oliver officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Army, Navy, Airforce, Unit 217, New Waterford. Donations in her memory may be made to the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Canadian Cancer Society, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia or a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Alvina Greene Born In: Brooklyn, New York, United States Passed in: White Rock, British Columbia, Canada Passed on: March 17th, 2016 Alvina Marie Greene, 88, of Surrey B.C, passed away March 17th, 2016 in White Rock, B.C. at Peach Arch Hospital. Funeral service will be held at St. John the Divine Anglican Church in Maple Ridge, B.C. on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Maple Ridge Cemetery for the family, reception for friends and family at the Church. Reverend Maggie Cole officiating. Arrangements under the direction of Victory Park Memorial Funeral Home, Surrey, B.C., Alvina was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Edith and Harold Rose on December 3, 1927. She grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia and married Robert Greene October 1950. They moved to Montreal in 1952 and then on to Vancouver, B.C in 1972. She was a devoted wife, homemaker and wonderful mother. Alvina married Victor Large after relocating to Vancouver Island from 1993 to 2011. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed travelling often throughout her life. Alvina is survived by her brother Charlie Rose (Ellen) of Sydney, N.S, sister Laura Albee of Ellsworth, Maine, sister Dolores Drennan of Sydney, N.S, sister Audrey Rose of Sydney, N.S. Daughter, Carol Huckschlag (Adolph) son Gary Greene, all of Surrey, B.C., daughter Linda Greene, son Peter Greene (Tracy) and daughter, Heather Schwebius (James) all of Kelowna, B.C. Grand children, Tanner Liskop (Katy), Krista Hebert (Dan), Stephanie Huckschlag (Jason), Kira Liskop, Carly Greene Hill, Alisha Greene, Maddison Greene, Hannah Greene, Jennifer Greene, Kristie Greene, Cole Schwebius, Charlie Schwebius. Great grandmother to Molly Liskop and Kalon Hebert. Alvina leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews who all enjoyed her visits to Nova Scotia and Maine. Predeceased by husband, Robert Greene, in 1988 and husband, Victor Large in 2014. Brother Alfred Rose of Sydney, N.S., and sister, Diane Cameron of Sydney, N.S. Condolences may be left at www.dignitymemorial.ca Rosaire Paquette Passed on: March 10th, 2016 Rosaire Paquette, husband of Mary MacEachern, father of Genevieve and Luke Paquette died suddenly on March 10, 2016. A memorial mass will be offered at St. Theresa's Church in Sydney on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at 11 a.m. Joyce Fennell Avent Born In: Whitney Pier Passed in: Savage Minnesota Passed on: March 22nd, 2016 Joyce passed away peacefully in Savage, Minnesota on March 22, 2016. She leaves a devoted husband Chris and children Brian (Kirsten) and Christina (Justin) Julian as well as five cherished grandchildren, Colin, Liam, Caitlyn, Declan and Waylon. She will be fondly remembered by siblings Ron, Constance (Lloyd), Sheila, Margaret, Mike (Lorraine), Mary (Michael), Theresa and Tom (Tina) as well as inlaws Carole and Marcel Levesque and Bill Avent. She was predeacesed by her sister Leona and parents Mike and Helen Fennell, formerly of Whitney Pier, and her mother-in-law Eve Avent. Joyce was born her family's seventh daughter in a time and place that prized male progeny. An inauspicious beginning to be sure. She was fortunately blessed with a winning combination of skills and charm and a rock solid belief that goodness prevails. She was an actress at heart who floored her siblings with a dead on hilarious imitation of Louis Armstrong and others. In her heyday, she sewed smashing outfits by day and wore them dancing that very night. She was a bona fide babe. In later years, she strove against impediments to realize her dreams of a teaching career, marriage and motherhood - the latter became her great joy. The late stages of her final illness deprived her of that joy but in all of life's stages she stood her ground. She hoodwinked an ever vigilant mother to enjoy childhood misadventures, mastered creative skills despite sometimes vocal naysayers and most importantly shone as an alpha wife and mother. All who loved her will treasure our memories and Joyce's lovely legacy of beautiful children and grandchildren - goodness prevails. Catherine 'Cassie' Whalen Passed in: Sydney Passed on: March 23rd, 2016 It is with broken hearts that we the family announce the peaceful passing of Cassie Whalen, 96, at home on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 with her family by her side. She was the daughter of the late James Fred and Margaret Ann (Burns) MacDonald. She was a member of St. Theresa’s parish, Sydney. Cassie was an avid reader and enjoyed knitting. Cassie is survived by her son, David Whalen, at home; brothers, Clarence MacDonald, Sydney, Eddie MacDonald, Fourchu; sister-in-law, Josie Wall, Sydney, she is also survived by several nieces nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Edward and son, Robert Whalen, brothers, Fred, Roy and Henry MacDonald. Funeral mass for Cassie will be held on Monday March 28, 2016 at 11 a.m. in St. Theresa’s Church, Sydney, with Fr. Dennis Lamey officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home. Bernard James 'B.J.' Cooke Born In: Sydney Passed in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Passed on: March 1st, 2016 It is with great sadness and much love for B.J. that we announce his sudden passing on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Toronto, Ont., at the age of 23. Born in Sydney, he was the son of Bernie and the late Donna (Dupe) Cook. He attended Breton Education Centre, New Waterford. B.J. always had a big smile on his face, which was contagious. He was always goofing around and laughing about something and was good at making everyone around him smile as well. He loved kids and adored his niece, Jorja, who always held a special place in his heart. B.J. also loved basketball, hockey and skateboarding, but most of all he loved the outdoors — he loved the ocean and woods, and was always up for an adventure. B.J is survived by his father, Bernie Cook, Sydney; sisters, Aleshia (Colton) Burns, New Waterford; Julie (Bobby) Coakley, Ontario; nieces and nephews, Jorja, Odin, Dayva, Sebastian and Norah, cousins, aunts and uncles. B.J was predeceased by his mother, Donna (Dupe) Cook; his grandparents, Frances 'Cookie' and Murdoch Dupe, Bessie and Peter Cook, all of New Waterford; aunts and uncles. The funeral mass will be held Wednesday, March 30, at 10 a.m, in the Parish of Saint Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford, with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating. Memorial donations made to Addiction Services or Mental Health Sydney, would be appreciated by the family.