Obituary of Marie Daphne Billard
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Marie Daphne Billard, née Reid, who left us on December 11, 2022, at the age of 73, while surrounded by our family in song and prayer. Mom was born in Norris Point, NL, on February 28, 1949. She cherished her Newfoundland roots and every member of her large extended family. Being one of 15 children, she had more nieces, nephews, and grands than we could count, and she truly loved them all. And, she was Nanny Billard to more than her own. Mom was a woman of courage and strength. She seemed to always be moving forward. Nothing scared her from the newest cell phone to working nights alone.
Mom's life was an interesting one. She was everything from a teacher to banker to a nurse's aide. She was a Girl Guide leader for 10-years and taught parenting classes. She volunteered at her church, with Cadets and loved nothing more than baking up a storm for a bake sale table. Then at the age of 47, after some health issues and with the aid of a walker, Mom went to college, the rest is history. Mom began a very successful hospitality and tourism career as an Innkeeper/Manager at the Garden South Park Inn in the late 1990s. For over 22 years, she oversaw all operational duties making sure each task reflected her personal touch. We all re-learned how to fold towels here at the Inn under her watchful eye, helping Mom wherever she needed us in these last years; even the ‘Sister Squad’ got the lesson. Retirement was never an option for Mom because she always felt the Inn was her home. When the subject of retirement was mentioned by us, she answered with “And then do what? I would be bored.”; and she would have been.
During both her work and personal life, she befriended many with her infectious smile and Newfoundland charm. She was a sparkle of joy to those in need and never expected anything in return; except maybe a hand of cards, some good tea biscuits, Lime Cordial, or a coffee, black, double cupped.
She will be missed forever by her work family, the Husseins, and the staff at the Inn, both past and present. Mom leaves behind her greatest loves, which are her children, Clint (Selma), Alicia (Tony), and Stepson Timmy (Jennifer); and her grandchildren which were her world, Kyle, MacKenzie, Alex, MacKaela, and James.
Mom was predeceased by her husband Eugene (Dad); parents, Augustus and Margaret; brother-in-Laws, Cecil, Martin, and Walter; sister-in laws, Jenny, Laura, Pauline, and Marina. Aside from her children and grandchildren, Mom leaves behind all her sisters and brothers, Violet (Cecil), Allen (Bess), Beatrice (Alton), Thelma (Walter), Reginald (Marina), Cavell (Keith), Karen (Howard), Rowena (Martin), Darrel (Marina), Cauline (Wayne), Ernest (Nancy), Lola (Dan), and Hiram (Myra); who were all there for her during the important milestones of her life.
A Nova Scotia celebration in honor of Mom’s life will be arranged later in 2023. A service will happen in Norris Point, NL. in the summer of 2023 and Mom will finally be able to eternally rest once more in the arms of her mom and dad.
Mom's end of life journey started on 6A but occurred on the 7A Palliative Care Ward at the Victoria General (QEll) in Halifax. During this time, she was cared for by her children, grandchildren, siblings, and one of her very special nieces, Kimberly. We would like to thank our cousin Kim for her devotion to Mom during these difficult times; it was a treasure. We would also like to thank Paul for his respect and dedication to Mom and to our family. We would be amiss if we did not commend the staff of 7A; Bronwen, Melanie, Patrick, Lauren, Kim, Sam, Scott, Kathy, Ioana, Heather, AJ you are angels amongst us.
In honour of Mom’s gift of hospitality, and her time at the College of the North Atlantic, we have created an award to help keep her love of tourism alive for other mature students.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the new Marie Reid Billard Memorial Distinction Award fund by visiting www.cna.nl.ca/give (please direct your gift to Memorial Fund, then type Marie Reid Billard MDA) or by cheque - attention Evelyn Doyle, College of the North Atlantic, 1 Prince Phillip Drive, P.O. Box 1693, St. John's, NL. A1C 5P7.
To our devoted Mother/Grandmother....
“Mom, although we longed for God to let us keep you, he had different plans for you on December 11th, 2022. You are now an angel, pain free and soaring in heaven, hand in hand with our loved ones who passed on in earlier times. We know you are watching over us, guiding us to go on under your wings. We will miss you forever and always.”
Love Alicia, Clint, and Tim xoxo
“Nanny Billard, we know your selfless qualities and kind-hearted nature will forever blanket our souls. We love you so, so much.”
Love Kyle, MacKenzie, Alex, MacKaela, and James xoxo
Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
