Obituary of Frieda Bertha Balser
The bright light that was Frieda Balser has gone out. She passed on April 4th 2025 in a room filled with family at Tideview Terrace, wrapping up nearly 90 years of love, laughter and song. Frieda joins her brother Jopie and sisters Marie (Coeleman), Riekie (Robicheau) and Dini (Baker) as well as her husband John and daughter Deena (Brooks), all of whom were doubtless overjoyed to see her. They are likely now singing together loudly enough to annoy the other angels while encouraging them all to sing along. Waving Frieda goodbye are her brothers Gerry, Frits and Benny, her two sons Michael and Eric, her grandchildren Alex, Cayley (Hoffman), Kristin, John and Ned and her great grandchildren Ava and Lilian, as well as many more family, colleagues and friends.
Frieda was loved by many and known to all as a happy, outgoing person. But underneath it all Frieda was tough. It was a quality developed during her childhood in Nijmegen, Holland during World War 2 and one she took pride in. Frieda knew that life, particularly a long life, was not for the squeamish and you have to roll with the blows that come and stay focused on the positive. Despite weathering devastating events - the sudden deaths of her 34-year-old husband and her 50-year-old daughter, for instance - Frieda was determined to focus on the joys in life. Never one to live in fear, Frieda had the rare quality of getting along with anybody. She would often strike up conversations with people waiting in line or at a nearby table in a restaurant, much to the embarrassment of her children. Eventually they took delight in doing the same thing to their children when the time came.
She loved gardening, needlework and music, among many other things. Anyone visiting Frieda would always find a yard full of flowers and a house full of plants and hand made art, some made by her, some by her sister and partner in shenanigans, Dini. Frieda sang her way through life. From learning Dutch songs in Elementary school to almost being in HMS Pinafore in High School to community choirs to singing in the car on road trips, music was a constant thread through her tapestry.
Since she was a little girl, Nursing had been Frieda’s ambition. Her natural qualities of empathy, care and efficiency made her an excellent one. Along with an income to support a single-parent family, nursing gave Frieda focus and structure along with the opportunity to get to know thousands of fellow staff and patients. She made an impression on all of them. It is fitting that several of the staff who gave Frieda such excellent care in her final years at Tideview Terrace had worked with her originally at Digby General Hospital.
While we are so very sad that she is gone, we are grateful that Frieda stayed around as long as she did, sharing so much with everyone. We could all stand to be a little more like her. So plant a seed, make something with your hands, chat with a stranger and sing a song whenever and wherever you can. Frieda would have liked that.
Frieda’s big heart deserves a big send off and a Celebration of Life will be held on August 4, 2025 6:00pm-8:00pm in the Digby Funeral Home, 367 Highway 303. Exact time and place will be announced closer to the date. In lieu of flowers we ask folks to donate to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Donate | Alzheimer Society of Canada.
