VERNA PATRICIA STRACHAN

Funeral service for the late Verna Patricia (Phelan) Strachan, 85, Melville Lodge, Halifax, formerly of Auld’s Cove, Antigonish County, was held July 17 in St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Mulgrave, with Father Allan MacPhie officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Mrs. Strachan died July 9, 2019, at the QEII, Infirmary Site, Halifax.

Born in Queensport, Guysborough County, she was a daughter of the late James and Gillian (Williams) Phelan, Halifax. She was a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, and long-time owner-operator of an H&R Block franchise in Port Hawkesbury. She was a former member of the CWL. She was a member of St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Mulgrave. In her younger years, she supported her sons and others as a hockey mom who attended most arenas in Nova Scotia, PEI, and New Brunswick. She worked as a volunteer at various fundraising activities in the local area, as well as serving several years on the Strait Pirate Junior ‘B’ executive. She loved spending time with friends and family, while entertaining at the cottage in Auld’s Cove. She loved reading, watching TV and knitting, all at the same time, watching Blue Jays’ baseball, going to bingo, viewing live theatre at the Neptune, running the roads with certain special friends, who would visit during the summer months attending ceilidhs and other festive events. She loved making pickles and beets in the early fall. Her door was always open for friends and family in needed, or just lend an ear with a cup of tea and a smoke.

She is survived by her son, Phillip (Sharon) Strachan, Antigonish; daughter, Brenda Hardy, South Rawdon; five grandchildren, Patrick Strachan, Fort McMurray; Meghann Strachan, Lower Sackville; Doug Hardy (Holly), South Rawdon; Jim Hardy (Maria), Antigonish; Nickina Gardener, New Brunswick; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clare (Jane) Williams, Halifax; Edger (Diane) Dort, Pictou; sister-in-law, Iona Williams, Auld’s Cove; many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Douglas Strachan; son, Joey Strachan; grandparents, John,  Violetta Williams; son-in-law, Buddy Hardy; two brothers, Edison Williams, Gerald Williams; three aunts, Cynthia Power, Elsie Bosch, Dorothy Williams; uncle, Havelock Williams;

Memorial donations may be made to the Mulgrave and Area Resting Place, or a charity of choice.  

Online condolences: www.haverstocks.com