Glenice Ruth Mawhinney

Born to Richard and Alda (Gaudin) Kerr, Glenice and her beloved brother Clayton shared their childhood years on a small riverside farm in Escuminic, Quebec. Glenice had fond memories of her early years and often shared stories of her adventures. Her bond with her brother Clayton was forged in childhood and never wavered throughout her lifetime.

Glenice met the love of her life, Myles Mawhinney, when she was only eighteen. After completing her Licensed Practical Nurse program, they married in July 1960. Two years later, their family was complete with the birth of their daughter Terri and their son Kevin. For many years, Glenice remained at home to focus on raising her children. She was always supportive, greeting her kids as they returned on the school bus, helping with homework, and accompanying them to extracurricular activities. These were happy, carefree years with a new home on the bay and fond memories of time spent together at the beach. There was lots of love to share. Glenice delighted in nurturing Terri’s best friend Shonnah, who still maintains a special bond with the entire family.

When her children started making plans to attend university, Glenice joined the fourth-floor nursing staff at Dalhousie Hospital. She valued her nursing colleagues and was dedicated to providing compassionate care to her patients. Though the job was demanding, Glenice had fond memories of her career, and many team members became lifelong friends.

In her retirement, Glenice enjoyed painting, fitness classes, and yoga. She was active in her church community and contributed to fundraising activities for decades. She was an avid camper, often traveling with like-minded friends to locations around Atlantic Canada. Glenice and Myles often wintered in Florida with a group of close friends from the Chaleur area, delighting in the opportunity to escape the cold north. With her daughter Terri and sister-in-law Betty, Glenice traveled to many southern destinations, where the sun and sand captured her heart and brought her immense joy. Cuba became a favorite destination that she visited frequently. Local trips to Nova Scotia and Ontario allowed her to share in the lives of her extended family.

Becoming grandparents to five children brought immense joy to their retirement years. Glenice and Myles cherished every opportunity to be part of their grandchildren’s lives, sharing in both the milestones and the everyday moments. They attended baptisms, birthday parties, graduations, sporting events, and weddings, taking great pride in each achievement.More than anything, they delighted in simply watching their grandchildren grow, offering steady love, encouragement, and presence along the way.

Glenice’s grandchildren cherished their trips to Charlo. In time, they brought girlfriends and boyfriends along to meet their Nan. Later, husbands and wives arrived to experience the joy of visiting their grandmother’s home by the bay. During these visits, dreams were encouraged, stories were told, and laughter was shared. Her influence lives on in them now.

Glenice took pride in her home, her flowers, and her property. She loved a hard day’s work in her yard, never taking the beauty around her for granted. She cherished her view of the Bay of Chaleur and lived by the rhythm and flow of the bay with its sunrises, sunsets, winds, waves, and tides.

Glenice had a positive and bright energy that allowed her to make sincere connections with those around her. She was fun, spirited, loyal, and warm. She had many close friends throughout her lifetime and always made an effort to maintain those relationships. Glenice loved dogs as much as she loved people. From her earliest days on the farm to her final days at home, there was always a dog to love. Having a dog at her bedside during her illness provided a source of great comfort.

Though ALS was a difficult diagnosis, she confronted the disease with grace. For many months, she was able to remain at home thanks to family support, the dedication of home care workers Sandy, Sharon, and Audrey, provincial Extra-Mural staff, and assistance from both the Stan Cassidy Centre and the ALS Society. In her final months, Glenice moved to the Renaissance, where she and Myles were reunited. It was a fitting ending for their lifelong commitment to one another. The family wishes to thank the staff for their kindness, love and care.

Although ALS attacked her body, it could not take her spirit. She accepted her fate and did not allow self-pity to color her final months. She continued to smile and to dance. She

danced with her cane. She danced with her walker. She danced in a wheelchair, and she danced in her bed. She dances now where the sunlight meets the waves.

Near the end of her life, Glenice chose MAID, allowing her to finally have control over ALS. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Myles; daughter Terri (Anthony) and her children, Nicholas and Joshua; son Kevin (Susan) and their children, Jesse (Jessica), Hannah (Will), and Zach (Carlee); and brother Clayton (Christine) Kerr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local SPCA or the ALS Society of Canada.

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