Gertrude Alma Curran

CURRAN (Fairn), Gertrude Alma Margaret – 87, of Halifax, died peacefully on December 5, 2011, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Annapolis Royal, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Jean (Fraser) Fairn. She was a graduate of the Truro Normal College and taught in one room schools in Annapolis and Queens counties while in her teens and early twenties. She met and married her husband, Ralph, while he was stationed at Cornwallis Naval Base during part of WWII. She and Ralph celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in September, 2011. For all those years she was devoted to her husband and children, consistently putting their needs ahead of her own. She was well read and was a talented painter. She corresponded throughout the years with near and extended family members and in-laws, as well as with friends all over Canada, never forgetting a birthday or other celebration. In later years, she and her sisters spoke by telephone each day. She spent much of her adult life in Halifax, but also lived for shorter periods in New Glasgow and Sydney, Nova Scotia, and also in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the North West Territories. A convert, she became a strong Catholic. The Church and the various parishes in which she lived were central to her life. She loved animals, and is missed by her cat and early morning companion, Thomas. She is survived by her husband, Ralph, her youngest sister, Ann (Ernie) Zukiwski, her children, Pat (Janet Hamm) and Paulette (Bob Britton), her grandchildren, Colleen Britton, Robert (Chrissy Lynch) Britton, Sarah (Tim) Purdy, Kelly (David Harris) Curran, Patrick (Jin-sun) Curran, Joanne (Bill) Shaw, Kevin (Emily Bartlett) Curran, Peggy Britton, Matthew Britton, Katherine Curran and Brigid Curran, her great-grandchildren, Emma Purdy, John Padraig Harris, Ciara Harris and Brenna Shaw (and another on the way), her sisters-in-law, Lena Fairn and Mary Fairn, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Barbara (Cliff) Meisner, Mary (Wayne) Matkin, Jean Harvie and Eva Burgess, her brothers, Bill and Murdo, and her grandson, Sean Curran, in infancy. Visitation will take place at J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, on Thursday, December 8, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 9, at 10 a.m., at St. Agnes Church, corner of Chebucto Road and Mumford Road in Halifax, with a reception to follow in the parish hall. Cremation to follow. Private family burial will occur on a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery cremation garden in Halifax. To send on-line condolences, please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.