Obituary of Helen MacLeod Veniot

Helen Nora MacLeod Veniot Our mother passed away at the age of 95 at Camp Hill Veteran’s Memorial Hospital on 27 October 2017. Formerly from Stellarton, mom was born in the small fishing village of Murray Harbour, PEI on March 15, 1922 a daughter of the late Luther and Bessie (nee MacDonald) Herring. A true islander, she always insisted on taking the Ferry home every Autumn to stock up on PEI veggies and cans of Johnston’s Meat and salt fish. She is survived by her son John (Janet), Halifax; daughters Cathy Carling (Tom), Mulgrave, Quebec, Jane Hale and Rhoda MacLeod, Stellarton. In addition, Mom is the proud Grandmother of nine Grandchildren: Ryan(Angie) and Jesse Carling; Bree Richards and Nicola Smith (Scottie); Evan(Katlyn), Lauren and Nathan Hale; Rebecca and Adam MacLeod, as well as great- grandmother of three: Reese and Jack Carling and Camden Hale. She was predeceased by her husband Fred MacLeod of 46 years, her second husband Harvey Veniot, a sister Dorothy Johnston, a brother Clarence Herring, son-in law Jim Hale, brother-in-law Carl Johnston, sister-in-law Phyllis Herring. Mom was a veteran of the Second World War, serving in the Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force at various air bases in the Maritimes as well as overseas. By the end of the war she had attained the rank of Sergeant as a Dental Technician. Following the war she trained as a hairdresser but the arrival of her children led her to the full time job of mother, to which she successfully devoted her considerable energies. At various times she also sold Fuller Brush and taught sewing at night school in Stellarton to augment the family income. In her later years she enjoyed the time spent with her extended family, travelled whenever the opportunity arose, a road trip to Nashville with Sadie was a highlight, read extensively, was a boss Bingo player and enjoyed a good argument. Mom was never without an opinion on almost any subject or issue - rarely did she stray into the grey area. Mom spent her last three and a half years at Camp Hill. We would be very remiss if we did not thank the entire staff on Floor 6 East for the remarkable job they did in looking after her. We will always be thankful for their professionalism and genuine caring. Visitation will be at the MacQuarrie Funeral Chapel, Stellarton on Monday, October 30th from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm. Funeral services will be held from The First Presbyterian Church in Stellarton at 11 am on Tuesday, October 31 with Rev. Charles MacPherson presiding. Burial will take place at Heatherdale Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow the burial at the Royal Canadian Legion, Stellarton. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Helen may be made to the Nova Scotia Alzheimer’s Society. www.angusfuneralhomes.com