Mildred Veronica Gavel

Funeral service for the late Mildred Veronica Gavel, 100, R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home, Antigonish, was held December 18 in St. Ninian Cathedral with Father Gary MacPherson officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetry. Mrs. Gavel died December 13, 2018, in the nursing home. Readers at the funeral Mass were Krista Thiessen and Trina Teasdale. Eileen Gavel and Donna Gavel presented the offertory gifts. Music was provided by Tyrus Wallace and violinist John Pellerin. Pallbearers were Kris Gavel, Justin Gavel, Nathan Gavel, Jeff Rissesco, Jonathan Gavel and Colton Gavel. Born June 22, 1918, in Cape Jack, she was the fourth child of the late Charles and Catherine Brow. On August 29, 1939, she married Arthur Charles Gavel, with whom she raised 13 children until his death January 30, 1972. A woman of devout faith, she attended Mass and contributed to the support of the Catholic Church right up to the time of her death. For many years, she and her children distributed the Sacred Heart Messenger and collected for the Penny-a-Meal Campaign. She was an avid member of Club 60 for many years, donating several home-made quilts for raffle, selling most of the tickets herself. She was an accomplished cook, a talented seamstress and made much of the clothing for her children at home. Each fall she would order bolts of gabardine cloth to make snowsuits and made prom dresses for many of her children and grandchildren. Her favourite form of relaxation was cribbage, which she taught her children to play at a very early age. Even at the age of 100 years, she could play a competitive game and was delighted when she would win. After her last child left home, she became an active traveler, visiting her children across Canada, the United States and Europe. Her favorite expression was ‘if you have the money I have the time’. She is survived by five sons, Budd (Mae), Allister (Renata), Kenneth (Donna), Charles (Eileen), Leo (Cindy); four daughters, Jane, Brenda (Laurel), Cathy (Bernie), Mary (Dave); two daughters-in-law, Mary Catherine, Carolyn; 26 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Martha; brother, Raymond; three sisters-in-law, Eleanor, Leona, Cecelia. She was predeceased by her husband, Art; three sons, Edward, Arnold, John; daughter, Carroll; daughter-in-law, Helen; sisters, Helena, Althena; Bertha, in infancy; six brothers, Hubert, Emmanuel, Edward; Francis in infancy, Adrian, Cyril. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com