We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved Mom and grandmother, Charlotte P. “Honey” Rhyno, Monday evening, April 20th, at Glen Haven Manor.

Born Sept. 13th, 1936, in Pugwash, to Charles Cooley Sr. and Katherine (Ettinger) Cooley, she moved to Thorburn when she was in her early teens. She met Dad at her dad’s garage in Thorburn; they were married on August 7th, 1954, and were married for 55 years until Dad’s passing May 13th, 2009. They had a ‘spat’ just about every day which Mom would say was good for the relationship! They worked hard and raised 8 kids. They were kind and generous and taught us to be the same. They also taught us the value of hard work and that any job worth doing was worth doing right.

Mom was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her husband, Lenny Rhyno, daughter Dawne Mair, and her sons-in-law Kenneth Latter and Clarence Freeman.  She is survived by daughters Jane Taylor (Donald), Mary Allard (Daryl), Martha Sabourin, Karen Latter, Linda Freeman, Carolyn Delorey (Tony), son David Rhyno (Debbie) as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Like many women of her era, Mom took great pride in her home and property. She raised us to know how to take care of ourselves, how to create a comfortable home, how to do laundry (and keep the whites white!), and how to cook and bake.  She was well known for her beautiful wedding cakes and often entered her baked goods in the Pictou Exhibition, winning first place ribbons. For many years, she was a vendor at the Pictou Market at the old CN station Saturday mornings, and most days was sold out before the Market actually opened. Though we’re all pretty good cooks, she would have been proud of her granddaughters Sara and Anna, who inherited her baking and decorating talent, and of Charlotte for her delicious biscuits.

Mom and Dad knew how to have fun and had a huge circle of friends. When we were small kids, they and their friends took turns going to each other’s houses on Saturday nights to play cards.  While the ladies prepared lunch, the men would watch the hockey games - and then it was back to cards!  They loved to dance and hosted many house parties with guitar and fiddle music, always accompanied by delicious and abundant food. As we got older, it was not unusual to see them -and all of us- at the same dances.

Our family loves picnics. Mom & Dad would often scout new places to picnic, so on any given sunny Sunday morning in the summer, a spontaneous road trip and picnic would be organized, and off we would go!

Dad started his own backhoe business in the early 1970s and later established Rhyno’s Campground. In 1982, when Mom was 46, Dad suffered a stroke.  With the help of our “brother” Fred Rhyno and Mom’s sister and brother-in-law, Tilly and John Cholmondeley, she ran both businesses while Dad recovered.  She was strong and independent. We all knew when Mom wanted something, she would make it happen.  It goes without saying- she had a mind of her own.

When Mom was diagnosed with dementia, her response was, “Well, that can’t be good!” It is not, but it’s not all bad either. Though there were frustrating moments, there were many good moments to laugh or smile at too.

Anyone who has or had a loved one with this disease knows it is cruel.  It doesn’t discriminate; it doesn’t matter how rich or poor the person is, how educated or wealthy, it just doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make sense that someone should suffer this dreadful disease.  If you question the purpose of their life with dementia, we need to realize, this is not about them- it’s about us and the opportunity we are given to show them patience, kindness, love, care and compassion.

Mom was in her 10th year on Whispering Tide when she passed away. She was there when the Covid 19 Pandemic was declared. At that time, Lisa Smith, the Administrator, took every measure imaginable to keep her residents and staff protected. Obviously, Mom couldn’t have visitors, but we had no reason to worry about her for even one single day, because we knew she was safe, loved and cared for. For that, we are eternally grateful. We cannot say enough about the kindness, compassion, and care she received there -and that we were shown as well.        

There will be no visitation. The funeral will be at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, April 25th at H.W. Angus Funeral Home. A gathering to celebrate Mom will be held later this summer.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, Thorburn, or a charity of your choice.