Taplin, Honora (Nora)- It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Nora on December 26, 2014. She and her twin brother James were born in Mulgrave , NS on Easter Sunday, April 4th,1920, the first born children of the late John and Clara Strachan. Nora and her siblings had the greatest advantage in life that of being born to devoted, loving parents and growing up in a peaceful, happy home. Nora attended school in Mulgrave and North Sydney and then went on to complete college in Toronto. Upon returning to Nova Scotia, she began her working career with the Royal Bank, and continued on working for many years with Dalhousie School of Nursing and finally as office manager for two family physicians, retiring at age 65. She was a great reader of biographies, kept current with world affairs and enjoyed making her home attractive and comfortable for her family. After her retirement, she moved to the country with her husband Jack, who she loved completely and without reservation. She took up quilt making and continued her life-long pursuit of baking the perfect apple pie. Nora was a truly happy person. She was born with a natural ability to live every moment of every day with joy in her heart. She found great solace in daily prayer and meditation and although she was a devout Roman Catholic, her rich spiritual beliefs embraced every faith. Nora had no capacity for bitterness or anything mean spirited. She was seldom seen without her terrific, radiant smile and was loved and cherished by her family and friends for her ageless inner beauty and quiet, spiritual generosity to everyone. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Jack; daughters, Pamela and Cathy; bothers, Jim, Duncan, Walter and Buddy; her sister, Sister Mary Strachan, CND. She is survived by her youngest sister, Claire Murphy (Larry); daughters, Mary Taplin and Wendy Callahan. Her devoted grandchildren, Kirt Callahan (Val), Edmonton, Sheila Callahan-Ruck (Kenny), Stephanie Callahan-Corkum (Chris), great grandchildren Mariah and Monica Ruck and Ellie Corkum, the youngest Lawrence Welk fans ever who greatly enjoyed their visits with Granny sharing ice cream, always ready with many hugs and kisses. Many thanks to the dedicated staff at St. Vincents’ and the physicians and staff at the QEII. Also, special thanks to her library girls, Debbie Denny and Debbie Lambert for their years of friendship. Our family would also like to thank Claire and Larry and her spiritual friend, Donna LeGier for comforting her in her last days. Visitation will be held at Cruickshanks Funeral home, Windsor Street, Halifax, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Jan.2, 2015 at 10 am. Fr. Mark Cherry officiating.Donations can be made to charity of choice. Nora loved " all creatures great and small" and the wonders of nature. To send or view a condolence to the family please visit: www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com
“ This morning I awoke and from my window could see,
wafting down so softly in the dawns early light
such feathery flakes of pearly white snow
nestling like jewels on the dark green bows of every tree…..
down through the lattice rail a tiny sparrow did fly
then fluttered up to the planters red berries to eat
now softly the snowflakes are still swirling down
weaving a myriad snow pattern atop the cold ground”
Excerpt from poem by Nora Taplin , 2002
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