Effie passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 21st, 2017. Born in Tangier, Nova Scotia, September 13th, 1921, Effie was the daughter of the late Ernest and Gertrude (Hawes) Mason. Predeceased by husband, Francis (Frank), eldest son, Gary and infant son, Francis. Also predeceased by her brothers, Peter, Byron, Willowby (Bill), and sisters, Lynora, Vaughn, Beatrice, Daisy, Lydia, Lillian and Marlene.
Effie spent her childhood years attending a small country school and helping out on the family farm. At seventeen she sailed for Barbados to live for a year with her sister. Her time on that island was an adventure she would never forget, and it would be forty years before she returned to those sun drenched shores. Returning to Tangier, she taught school for two years before she met Frank, a naval officer on leave, and married. War's end led to 5 years of university life with Effie providing a loving and supportive home to her husband and two small children as Frank pursued his engineering degree. Eventually they settled in New Glasgow in 1958 where she and Frank raised a family of five, supporting and pushing them all on to achieve their goals. In 1971 they moved back to Halifax.
Active in community and church, Effie was known for her sense of humour, gentleness, genuine warmth and devotion to her family. She enjoyed swimming, dancing, and walking. She loved “the sun and salt water” and her happiest summers were spent at either the “swimming hole” at Black Point outside of New Glasgow or the Waegwaltic Club in Halifax.
She was a member of the Mayflower Curling Club, Professional Engineers’ Wives, and St. Philips Anglican Church. Effie and Frank enjoyed travelling together – spending a number of winters vacationing in Florida and visiting family in Alberta, Thailand and Malta.
In later years, Effie faced many challenges, including her husband’s extended illness and the loss of her eldest son. The past ten years she has enjoyed living in Cameron Hall at Parkland Estates, where she often personally welcomed new residents and helped them get acquainted with the facilities.
Effie was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother happiest surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by three sons, Michael (Susan), Pleasantville; Frank (Patricia), Calgary; Steven (Doreen), Hebbville; daughter Gail Boylan (Mike), Victoria, BC; daughter-in-law, Patricia McIntosh (Gary Mason); She is also survived by grandchildren Andrew (Ginnie Holden), Michael (Jennifer), and Patrick (Laura McOrmand )Boylan; Victoria McIntosh; Samara (John) Gosling, Susannah (Daniel) Gonzales, Ryan (Ashley), Zachery, Brent (Elena), Patrice (Jay), Kirk (Carla), Natalie(Aaron), Taylor, Geneva, Keenan and Joshua Mason; as well as 10 great grandchildren.
Effie will be missed by all of her family. A Celebration of Life will be held at Parkland Estates Cameron Hall, 114 Fairfax St., Clayton Park, on April 11th. 2 pm with a time of visitation to follow. Burial at Holy Trinity Church in Tangier at a later date. Family flowers only. Donations to the QE 2 Hospital.
The Family would like to thank the staff at Cameron Hall as well as the medical team at the QE2 who showed such compassion during mom's last days.
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