Obituary of Verna E. Burgess

Verna Evangeline Burgess, age 76, passed away very peacefully with her family at her side on Saturday August 21, 2021. Glen Haven Manor has been Verna’s home for the past 12 years and the family cannot express enough gratitude to the staff at Glen Haven for the tremendous care they provided Mom. Verna leaves behind her children, Greg (Cathy Ashley) Ottawa, Kenny (Cindy Lou Freeman) New Glasgow, and Angela (Gerard Burke) Spa Springs, her husband Doug (Cristal Schofield) Little Harbour, her sister Catherine Richards, Fredericton and grandchildren Kaine Burgess and Eden, Erica and Erin Burke. Sister-in-laws Nancy Hutt, Truro and Janel Gero, New Glasgow and brother-in-law Peter Phillips Bridgewater. Verna was born in Truro to Ida and Vernon Blakeney. She worked at the Regional Library in New Glasgow for a number of years before her illness and could be spotted everyday walking home from work at noon. Prior to her illness Verna was never idle. She enjoyed her home on Shelburne Street, cottage at Eden Lake, curling, travel, volunteering for numerous organizations, caring for many pets and the occasional glass of Hochtaler with family and friends. Her love for music was expressed through her participation in the Pictou County Brass and Reed Band, Hand Bells, ukulele, and her love for the piano at home. Her hands were fast and you would want to be prepared if sat across the table at Bass River for a games of “peanuts.” She was like our own internet before the World Wide Web. If you needed to know, she had the information in short time. We could go on family trips and she had the packets from every tourist bureau of what to see and how to get there. And the food, Mom could always get you a meal, on the road from her plaid cooler or roll out the pinwheels for a snack at home. If you were lucky to be around at Christmas the back porch was a treasure chest of her treats. Rest easy Mom. There will be no visitation. There will be a gathering to celebrate at a later date. Online messages of condolence can be sent to the family by visiting H.W. Angus Funeral Home site. Donations in Verna’s memory can be made to Glen Haven Manor, DeCoste Center, Library, or a charity of your choice. www.angusfuneralhomes.com