Obituary of Allan Vance Wilkie
Allan Vance Wilkie July 3, 1963 - October 19, 2023
Adoring Father of his three girls, Lucy, Sally, and Emma Wilkie. Loving and loyal husband of Katharine Worton. Cherished brother to Beth Reaume (Dave) and Ruth Ann Wilkie-Ursino, beloved son of Allan Thomas and Louise Wilkie. Dear Uncle Al to Coryna (Rishad), Nicolas, Naomi (Will), Lydia, Caleb, and Joshua; great Uncle Al to Aayan, Malakai, and Elliyah. Loved by his Worton-Scott families.
Allan died October 19, 2023.
Allan was born in Weston and raised in Kleinburg, Ontario. His childhood was spent visiting Grandma with the green door and other family in Forest; playing baseball, tennis, and street hockey; and on summer road trips. His favourite movie was (and continued to be) Bambi. He would sometimes have a garden snake or two in his pocket to scare his mother with. The first instrument he fell in love with was the banjo, which he was overjoyed to receive on his thirteenth Christmas. He loved learning, and was a studious and curious young man.
Allan was educated at Woodbridge High School (Kleinburg), Dalhousie University (BA English and MD Class of 95), and Memorial University of Newfoundland (Family Medicine Residency Class of 97). It was in Newfoundland that Allan first met (and was wonderstruck by) Kathy Worton. After a spectacular courtship, she agreed to be his wife.
Married April 18, 1998, in Prescott, Ontario, Allan and Kathy settled into a beautiful home in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. Kathy and Allan loved each other and their girls with their whole hearts, building a happy family together. Allan and Kathy gave their girls childhoods that they will always cherish and carry through life, full of boundless devotion, support, music, traditions, and adventures.
Allan was a hardworking Emergency Room Doctor at the Valley Regional Hospital with a gentle disposition and comforting bedside manner. Colleagues described him as a talented, thoughtful, intelligent, and passionate doctor. When not at work, he could often be found puttering around the garden; caring for his rhododendron and holly bushes, tending to a vegetable patch, or planning what tree to plant next. He was a lover of south shore beach days, afternoon naps in a sunbeam, and a good book or crossword by the woodstove. An avid tree and waterfall enthusiast, Allan enjoyed swims, walks in the forest, and leading family camping trips. A true appreciator of visual elegance, he was gentle but firm in his philosophy of filling the home and his life with beautiful things. Background music was a constant in the Wilkie-Worton household and Allan had a true appreciation for classical, traditional, opera, bluegrass, and Christmas music. On family travels, Allan loved to explore history, and old, beautiful buildings. He always had a good gut instinct about which street to follow on aimless wanders through new cities and towns. Some of Allan’s favourite foods were coffee, ice cream, and lamb.
Allan was a marvelous musician, and filled the house with his guitar and banjo playing, and his beautiful voice. He was a clever composer and gifted harmonizer who elevated any musician he sat down with, forming many lifelong friendships. Although a fantastic performer, Allan’s favourite place to play music was around the kitchen table with good friends (and daughters, when they allowed it). Allan imprinted himself on the local music scene as one-third of The Guys at The Library (renowned Halifax buskers, some of the first in the city) and a valued member of local bands Rural Delivery and the Lustre Brothers (as Lester Lustre). He frequented the Lunenburg Folk Festival where he helped spearhead the popular Gospel Workshop/Concert. It is said that Allan gave up a great career as a banjo player to become a doctor.
Allan was exceedingly humble, gentle, patient, quietly funny, and kind. He was heartbroken but very brave when Kathy died in 2020. He said he was as happy as a widower could be taking care of the house and his three girls.
Cremation has taken place, and there will be a funeral and burial at a later date. Memorial donations in Allan’s memory may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
