Solange Gerardine Dube

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Solange Dube’ of Halifax sadly announce her passing on August 31, 2022, at the Halifax Infirmary. She passed peacefully with her family by her side.

Solange is survived by her siblings, Gilles Dube (Anne Hickey) of Halifax, Jean-Louis Dube (Vivien Hsu, deceased) of Ottawa, Yolande MacArthur (Neil MacArthur) of Dartmouth. Her nephews, Jason Dube (Halifax), Yves and Jean Dube (France), Sammy Dube (Ottawa) and Joey Dube (Ottawa), nieces, Joanna Dunn (Halifax), Danielle Merkley (Dave Merkley) (Ottawa), and Jeannine MacArthur (Adam Pearson) (Whites Lake). Solange was predeceased by her parents Gerard and Mercedes Dube’, and her brother Rene’ in France.

Solange was a former Sister of Charity and taught at St. Patrick’s Elementary School and Oxford School in Halifax. Prior to entering the religious order, she completed high school, then selflessly postponed her education to work to help support her mother and siblings after the death of her father Gerard. During this period, she worked at the Moir’s factory as a lab technician. Solange loved to treat her siblings to the chocolates she would bring home for them from work.

When her brothers finished university, Solange attended Mount St. Vincent University and graduated with her Junior Diploma in Education in 1967. In 1968 she entered the religious order. Solange was very devout and committed to teaching and worked passionately as a teacher for 35 years. She completed summer programs leading to her Bachelor of Education. She was very intelligent and always enjoyed discussing everything that mattered to her. Beyond that, the relationships that Solange established and sustained with her students transcended all of her strengths as a teacher. She was an incredibly respected, trusted and loved teacher by hundreds of students.

Solange was involved at one time as foster parent for a special project initiated by the Sisters of Charity, during which she co-shared responsibility for 5 young girls in a separate household. Managing these teens was an eye opener to the demands of responsible parenthood, and she quickly learned the art of negotiation and when to turn a blind eye! Helping with homework at the end of her school day and enforcing consistent, empathetic discipline were natural extensions of Solange’s character and kindness.

Solange was very generous with the vulnerable people she met and lived a very frugal life in order to contribute to those organizations she supported. She volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, contributed to the Arthritis Society and was a long-standing member of the church choir at Theresa’s Church. She loved music and could often be found listening to instrumental music in her apartment. She enjoyed playing her piano until her fingers wouldn’t cooperate with the keyboard.

Solange’s thirty-five year career in teaching only ended when she had severe back and foot issues due to arthritis, and physically could not continue. She remained in contact with many of her former students, and her younger sister once told her “Its so hard shopping with you Solange. A short trip to the mall turns into a whole afternoon because your former students are always stopping to chat when they see you! We don’t get anything done!” It gave her tremendous joy to see how her grade 5 and 6ers had turned out. It seems that she remembered them all!

After she left the Order, she lived independently in an apartment in central Halifax. Solange had a spectacular view of the Commons and enjoyed the free concerts and fireworks that were fringe benefits of her high-rise balcony. Solange loved nature and spending time at Point Pleasant Park and Queensland beach. She was an avid reader and was actively involved in a book club, which continued virtually throughout the pandemic. Her love of reading was passed on to her nieces, nephews and their children.

When Solange’s mother required nursing care and resided at Mount St. Vincent Motherhouse, Solange faithfully drove out almost daily to spend time with her. It was an extremely busy endeavor, but she persisted for several years until her mother died in 1997. After this, Solange was able to have some personal time, and travelled with group tours extensively to Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Portugal. She had also visited France and Australia previously to visit her favorite cousins, Michele and Louise. With all her travels, she still felt Canada was the best country to live in, despite the cold winters!

Solange had a wide circle of friends and close-knit family members who enjoyed spending time with her. She frequently spent time in the homes of her sister, Yolande, and brother, Gilles, who reside in the HRM. All of Solange’s family members big and small loved the warmth that her company brought and she spent many holiday meals and celebrations surrounded by family.

Solange always remembered birthdays and special occasions, especially those of family. She was a much-loved great-aunt to Evie and Cooper, and Michael and David, and favorite aunt of her other nephews and nieces. After she retired, she would drive out each week to tutor her niece Joanna’s sons and help them with projects. Always the teacher!

Solange’s severe arthritis caused her almost constant pain and required the use of a walker and custom-made orthopaedic boots. This led to frequent trips to her orthotics technician, Andy, who worked diligently to help her keep upright. In the past few years, she also developed severe rheumatoid arthritis, which led to distorted finger joints and difficulty in maintaining her living conditions. Her declining health led to frequent stays with her sister, Yolande, during the summer. However, in spite of all this, Solange always had a smile on her face for everyone, and still had a sympathetic ear for everyone else’s troubles. After developing pneumonia from a lowered immunity due to her medications, she passed away in hospital surrounded by the love of her family. Her last words, “I’ve lived a good life, shorter than I thought , but a good life. Thank you for staying with me.” Thank YOU, Solange for sharing your life and holy spirit with us.

Solange’s family would like to thank Dr. Brent Culligan and his wonderful team on 3 IMCU at the Halifax Infirmary for providing excellent and compassionate care during her brief stay there.

Visitation will be at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home on Windsor Street, Halifax, on Thursday Sept. 8 from 2-4pm and 6-8 pm, and the wearing of masks is recommended. The funeral mass will be at St. Theresa’s Church on North Street, Halifax at 11 am on Saturday, Sept.10, followed by burial of cremated remains at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lower Sackville in the family plot. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Arthritis Society Canada, St. Vincent de Paul Society or perform an act of kindness in her memory.