Obituary of Bernice Rita Donaldson

DONALDSON (Brennan), Bernice Rita - age 73, of Enfield passed away October 10, 2022, in the VG Site, QEII Health Science Centre, Halifax.  She was predeceased by her mother, Thelma Charlton (Woods, Brennan), her father Charles Brunt, and her stepfather Robert Charlton.  She was also predeceased by her brothers, Charles, Douglas and Theodore Brennan, Leo, Robert, Phillip and Reginald Brunt and aunt, Audrey Baker (Brunt).  Bernice is survived by her husband Charles Donaldson, to whom she was married for 52 years; sons, Jeffrey (Aviva), and Kevin (Anita).  She is also survived by her wonderful grandchildren, “Her Little Man” Zev, son of Jeff and Aviva and Avery, her “Boo”, daughter of Kevin and Anita, all of Enfield.  She is also survived by her sister, Rosanna Crandon and many nieces and nephews.

She was a lifelong volunteer in her communities.  She volunteered at her boys’ school, for Big Brothers-Sisters, as a Beaver leader, canvassed for Relay for Life, Cancer Society, and the Lung Association.  Bernice Co-Founded the Caring & Sharing Angel Tree Food Bank in Enfield and worked tirelessly for 31 years to ensure those who needed help received it.  She was Treasurer and Coordinator of the food bank Christmas Program and Angel Tree.  She received many awards for her volunteer work from the Lions Club, The Municipality of East Hants Volunteer of the Year and Provincial Volunteer of the Year.

Bernice loved her family and was extremely proud of all their accomplishments.  Bernice was a great cook and liked baking cookies for her grandchildren.  The last years of her life were a fight after she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, having had several operations that failed.  She was the strongest and most stubborn person we ever knew.  She remained hopeful through all the pain.

Cremation has taken place.  Visitation will be held 6-8 pm on Tuesday, October 18th at Ettinger Funeral Home, 860 Highway 2, Elmsdale, with Legion Service held 8-8:15 pm.  Funeral Service will take place 11 am Wednesday, October 19th at Riverview United Church, Elmsdale, Rev. Kim Curlett officiating.  A Livestream feed is available through the Church's Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/ElmsdaleCooperativeMinistry/live/

Reception to follow upstairs.

Family flowers only, donations in memory may be made to the Caring & Sharing Angel Tree, 50 Old Enfield Road, Unit 2, Enfield, NS, B2T 1C9, or the Victoria Order of Nurses (VON), 7075 Bayer’s Road, #100, Halifax, NS B3L 2C2. 

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Bernice may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com