Obituary of Dorothy Rita Garden

GARDEN (MacDonell) (Garden), Dorothy Rita – 93, Enfield, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 20, 2017, after being diagnosed with colon cancer in November. Born in Halifax, June 2, 1923, our Mum was the only daughter of the late Edward C. MacDonell and Annie F. (McDowell) MacDonell (1962). Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her only brother, Alfred (1998). Mum also suffered the death of her first husband, Rayburn Garden, during WWII (1943). She was married to her second husband, Jerome Garden, for sixty-one years until his death in 2007. Mum was and will be forever loved by her six daughters: Colleen O’Neill, Judy Sawler, Peggy Martin, Gerry Garden, Vivian (Per) Andreasen, and Sandra (Anthony) Hart; in addition to her two sons: Wayne and Darrell. Our Mum will be forever missed by her adoring grandchildren: Heather, Carol Anne, Jeffrey, Sheldon, Tanya, Karla, Shannon, Bridget, Lea, Scott, Meredith, Kyle, Sarah, Nicole, Emily, Jennie, Taylor, and Ashleigh. She was great-grandmother to several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation at Mum’s request. A funeral Mass to celebrate our Mum’s life is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 11 am at Saint Bernard’s Church in Enfield with Father Michael Walsh officiating, followed by a private burial. Family and friends are invited to a reception in the Enfield Fire Hall immediately following the funeral Mass. Dorothy’s family would like to extend its greatest appreciation to her doctors, Dr. Bruce Montgomery and Dr. Henderson; palliative nurse, Dawn Ross, and the VON nurses who provided professional care and support throughout this trying time. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of one’s choice would be kindly appreciated. Despite her shy personality, she was our pillar of strength, our family’s glue. Mum was compassionate by nature. In short, Mum was everything that is good. “Sleep in heavenly peace.”