Cynthia Priscilla Rogers

Sydney

So how do you write an obituary about someone who lived life to the fullest; someone who did everything, our mother , Perky Rogers or as her mother, Agnes Richardson Spooner Dean and her father, James Albert Johnson named her ,Cynthia Priscilla Johnson.

Mom was born in Upper Musquodoboit and when she passed away on September 3rd, 2016, she was just 19 days shy of her birthday. Confusion reigned when we had a 90th celebration for her and she was just 89. How would we know, she did not like to broadcast her age and many thought that she was much younger. Her happy childhood memories were of a one room schoolhouse, riding her bicycle all over the countryside, going to dances and a loving family.

How did she find herself in Glace Bay? After studying for her Hairdresser's Certificate and working at a salon in Truro, Mom was asked to manage a salon in Glace Bay. She hadn't been to Cape Breton and she thought she would like to see it, and that is how she met our Dad, Leo Rogers.

Five children came along, Gregory, Karen Lynn, Cynthia, Darrell and Shelley. Unfortunately, our three brothers died tragically at a young age. Mom had her share of misfortunes that life gives us, maybe she had too many, but she overcame them. She lived in the present and looked to the future, not the past.

Mom possessed a smart business sense and she was a hard worker. While we were growing up, she had a beauty shop in our home in New Aberdeen where a parade of women had regularly scheduled appointments at Perky's every week. "Must be Saturday, Kay is here."

Between 1975 and 1991, Mom was a government appointee on The Hairdressers Examination Board. This involved travel (that she loved) all over the province to those locations where hairdressing was taught. Students had to have it right and she was very serious about maintaining high standards in hairdressing.

In the 1980's, Mom moved her shop to McKeen St., Perky's Unisex Beauty Salon. It grew under her direction and in 1990, she thought it was time to retire and sold it to Patrick Iannetti, a well- known local beauty salon owner. She drove off to Florida by herself (of course) to her place in Largo, but retirement was not for her. In the summer of ‘93, she studied teaching methods at Teachers' College in Truro and her teaching career was launched at Patrick Iannetti's School of Beauty in Sydney Mines and Sydney in ‘93 and ‘94. In ‘96 and ‘97, it was Colin MacDonald's Scruples School and in ’98, she was asked by Patrick to return back to his school. Then she retired!

Travelling was one of Mom's passions. Off she went to Florida by herself “phoo phooing” our concerns. "Don't forget your seatbelt Nan." Did she call along the way, of course not. She was so independent. On her travels, whether it was in Canada, the U.S. or on cruises, she took pictures and many became one of her paintings. Mom began to paint in the 1970's and continued until the month before she died. Many homes are graced with one or more of her paintings from an art show or as a gift. She was a member of the Glace Bay Art Group- local artists who shared her passion for painting. Mom enjoyed the Wednesday afternoon sessions, along with Cynthia, of talk, advice and treats.

Camping was another passion. Mom kept a trailer for many years at St. Ann's Campground and also at Seal Island. Our children, Heather and Erin McKinnon (Karen Lynn and Kevin), Gary, Vanessa and David Haddad (Cynthia and Vince), spent many happy summers with their "Love the Outdoors" Nanny. Swimming at the beach (Little River!); fishing at Wreck Cove; sea - kayaking; exploring every backroad, trail and waterfall, Mom knew all the treasured locations in Cape Breton.

Winter did not slow her down. There was downhill skiing at Ben Eoin and Marble Mountain (until she was 86), ice fishing in Mira and skating on racers in Cape Breton and also on the Mainland. Cross- country skiing was a great source of laughs for her mates, Cynthia and Frances, one of the best friends our mother could ever have.

Mom's grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her family were so important to her. She watched and participated as they grew. She was so delighted to be Grand Nana to Christina Nguyen (Dave Haddad), James Hopkins (Vanessa Haddad Hopkins) and Ruairi McKinnon Ramshaw (Heather and Rob Ramshaw). She is survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Mom was the youngest in her family. Her mother had married twice and she had a brother, Herman Spooner (Mass.) and sister, Muriel Spooner Curtis (Mass.) from the first marriage and her brother, Lloyd Marshal Johnson (Brookfield) from the second. They are deceased but not their memories.

Did we mention friends? There were so many friends whom Mom nurtured and cherished. My father's sister, Edna, was so special to her. Doris McGrath has been a friend since they were 12 years old. Her cousin Louise Birtwell, another cherished friend, had just sent the 80th consecutive birthday card.

Our Mom was the last, the last of the Rogers family belonging to our Dad and the last of her family, the Johnson family and the last we will know and love in our lifetime. "The sweeping up of the heart and putting love away we shall not use again until eternity.” “Good bye Mom!! Thank you!!”

The funeral for Mom will take place on Thursday, September 8th, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Theresa's Catholic Church on Whitney Avenue in Sydney. There will be a reception following the Mass in St. Theresa's Hall on St. Peter's Road in Sydney.

Interment will take place in St. John's Cemetery in Glace Bay, later that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Palliative Care, the Molly Appeal or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to Perky’s family by visiting www.twcurry.com.