Obituary of Emma Elizabeth DeVenney

* Please note: Updated service details below. * Age 89 of Martock, died peacefully on May 10, 2021. Born in the farmhouse in Poplar Grove, she was the younger daughter of William Huntley and Edna Hunter. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John DeVenney. Emma is survived by son, James and daughter-in-law Sandra, Fredericton Junction, N.B.; and two daughters, Elizabeth Skelhorn, Windsor; and Catherine and son-in-law, Ryan Neily of Halifax. She was blessed with five grandchildren: Heidi (Mark) Bjornson, New Maryland, N.B.; Ian (Melanie) Skelhorn, Windsor Forks; Marty DeVenney (Amanda Bradford) Quispamsis, N.B.; Michael DeVenney, Jeju Island, South Korea and Catheryn (Jarrod) Thomas, St. John’s, Newfoundland. She felt doubly blessed with her nine great-grandchildren: Colton, Connor and Cuinn Skelhorn, Emma, Mya and William Thomas, Gemma Bjornson, and Alexander and Nicholas DeVenney. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, William Skelhorn; sister, Margaret Scott and brothers, Frederick and Gilmore. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Katharine Huntley, Nancy MacInnes, Anna DeVenney and brother-in-law, Robert DeVenney; nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her neighbours, Rod and Angela Corkum, who became extended family. She loved to dance and that was how she met her husband. She was fifteen and he played the music that she loved to dance to. Married at seventeen and all children born by the time she was twenty-two, she was a vibrant and active young mother. Birthdays were always celebrated with homemade cakes, Christmas was a major family event, every special occasion was celebrated. Baby clothes were handknit, her love of making her own clothes passed on to her daughters and the girls of the neighbourhood. Her handknit socks are treasured for their comfort and fine fit and all of her children and grandchildren have her quilts in their collections. She was a member of Christ Church, Windsor, a past member of St. Michael’s Anglican Church Ladies Guild and she taught Sunday School there for many years. Active in the Boys and Girls Club as a child she was 4H Leader of the Avon Club for eleven years and President of the Hants County 4H Leaders Council. Hants County Exhibition week and Achievement Days were exciting times. She was instrumental in seeing that Martock School became the Avon 4H Club house. She was a member of the Home and School Association of Windsor Forks District and Windsor Regional High Schools. She was active in her community – she participated in quilting bees, made fudge for the church at Exhibition time and worked at every church supper. There was never an election that she was not polling clerk, returning officer or checker and her home often was the location of the polling station. She had a lovely alto singing voice and in later years she sang harmony with Johnny as a member of the Good Time Band and played a prime role in starting the Newfoundland Country Night events at Christ Church. Special thanks to Carrie Dauphinee and the staff at the Rest Easy Assisted Living Residence in Windsor for making her last days comfortable, and to Betty Purvis, Laura Swinamer and Amber Curry for loving care at home. She was well loved and her life was well lived. Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A private family service will be held in Windsor United Church, Rev. David Hann officiating. A public graveside service will be held 3:30 pm Tuesday, August 31 in Windsor Forks Community Cemetery. COVID-19 guidelines must be respected and masks worn. If necessary, please bring your own chair and umbrella. Donations in Emma’s memory may be made to Harvest House, the Red Cross or a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca