Obituary of Brenda Nancy Taylor
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Brenda Nancy Taylor (nee Shaw), of Berwick, at the age of 76 years.
Brenda was born in Pictou and raised in River John. Leaving her family behind as a young adult she set out to find work. At 17 years of age, she started working at Scotia Gold where she continued to work for almost 30 years. While working in the Annapolis Valley she met her husband and love of her life, Harvey Taylor. They settled in the small community of Berwick where they spent 37 loving years together.
Brenda loved children and spent as much time as possible with her nieces and nephews; she was a loving and supportive aunt to all of them. Traveling from Berwick to River John on holidays, birthdays, special occasions and summer vacations, she always made it back home to visit with her family.
Brenda always looked forward to hay season each year at the family farm. Friends and family from afar would travel to help, there she enjoyed sitting around a campfire listening to or telling jokes or stories, enjoying a corn boil, or a good feed of East Coast lobsters or crab legs. She always came home with a car or truck full of valley apples or corn to share. Brenda was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was someone you could confidently tell a secret too and you knew she would never tell anyone. Brenda started working at a young age and has said her biggest and most proud moment after retirement was when she got her high school diploma. Brenda loved to get out for long drives, dining with friends or family, or shopping at her favorite store in Berwick Bargain Harley’s. She spent many hours each year helping with their garden, something she was very proud to show off to family and company, and always picked some fresh veggies to send home with you. She lived a quiet, humble and happy life and never asked for anything she didn’t need.
She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings, Gerald Shaw (Marlene), Wayne Patriquin (Donna), Joann Cullen (Bobby), Barb Cowling (Gene), all of River John; Sharleen Grant (Reg), Toney River; many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. She will also be dearly missed by lifelong neighbors Michelle and Amy Reese, her close friends, and former co-workers at Scotia Gold. We cannot forget Molly her faithful feline companion who will miss her as well.
Brenda was predeceased by her parents, Norma and step-father Austin Patriquin, River John; her husband of 37 years, Harvey Taylor; brother-in-law, Doug Cullen; niece, Michelle Cullen; and grandmother, Vera MacDonald (Zinck), of Bayview (where she spent most of her childhood and time when she visited home).
At Brenda‘s final request, cremation has taken place and she will be laid to rest with Harvey in the Berwick Cemetery, in a private graveside service at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Brenda’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, SPCA Shelter nearest you, or a charity of your choice.
When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today;
While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you;
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here in your heart.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
