Obituary of Viola Marie Embree

Viola Marie Embree (Large) 1933-2025 It is with deep sadness the family of Viola Marie Embree announces her passing in the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital on February 26th, with her daughters by her side. Marie was born in Bayhead, N.S. on March 17th, 1933. She was aptly called Daddy’s little leprechaun. She and her 5 siblings worked hard picking blueberries, strawberries, and 8 acres of rhubarb for their father’s cannery business in Malagash. After this, she did her homework late at night, with tired eyes. She attended Tatamagouche High School, before leaving to marry. In her adult life she drove the Royal Mail Route in all weather conditions, and worked at Pettigrew’s Grocery Store in Springhill before moving to Toronto, where she worked for 35 years at Esseltee Pendaflex. Marie loved music. She sang in Norman MacBurnie’s youth choir, jokingly known as Norman’s little band of sinners. As an adult, she sang in the choir at St.John’s United Church, Wallace. Marie and her siblings learned to dance by lining up behind their mother and dancing around the kitchen. She learned to hop polka very well. And loved to attend the dances on Saturday nights. Marie was a spiritual person and believed in God’s will. She attended CGIT, and was a member of Women’s Missionary Society, Malagash and hosted many meeting in her home. She was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge. When she was Noble Grand, she was proud when told that she wrote the best report of anyone who had previously attended the provincial conference. Marie made delicious baked goods including pies, biscuits and bread. She especially enjoyed eating lobsters, oysters and mussels. Marie enjoyed attending the Toronto Blue Jays games and the Canadian National Exhibition on Veterans day in Toronto. She was also a staunch Toronto Maple Leafs fan. She lived on Vancouver Island for 4 years before moving to New Glasgow to be near her family. She enjoyed travels to California, the Grand Canyon, Alaska and the Mayan Riviera. Marie loved to laugh and could make anyone she met feel special. She always had a smile, even when she wasn’t feeling her best. She was a firecracker, the fun glue that held us all together. She was grateful, loved Christmas, and being with people who loved her, having fun times. She worried about her family and friends and had concern for everyone who was suffering. She loved playing games and her comments would put us into hysterics at times. Her silliness brought joy to everyone around her. She loved her pug dogs and amassed over 100 various types of pug decorations. A new pug calendar for Christmas was a mandatory request. Marie is survived by daughters Edith (Keith) Selwyn-Smith, Truro Heights, Shelley (David) Pos, Green Hill. Granddaughters Jennifer (Sunny Yau) and Melanie (Lloyd White), brothers Berton (Beatrice) Truro, Willis (Patricia ) Ottawa, Wayne (Jeanette) Truro, sister Kathleen Chivers (Malagash.) Marie was predeceased by her parents Viola (Millard) and Herbert Large, brother, Allen, sisters-in-law, Violet and Jeanine. The family would like to thank the VON for their care the past few years, Dr. Schnare for his compassionate care, the nurses on 4 South and the Palliative Care team. Visitation to be held on Monday, March 10th from 2-4pm at H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow; celebration of life on Tuesday, March 11th, 2:00pm at Pictou United Church with Revs. Mary-Beth Moriarity and Donna Tourneur officiating. Reception following. Burial will be held in Bayhead cemetery at a later Donations may be made to VON, Diabetes Canada, or Palliative Care, Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.