Obituary of Phyllis Elizabeth Grant

* Updated service information below *

Mom’s earthly journey ended on Friday, September 24, 2021 in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor, at the age of 92, with me, her son, Alan and our friend Thelma, by her side.

Phyllis Elizabeth “Phyl” Harvey was born to Morris Samuel and Frances Lillian (Swinamer) Harvey, on May 19, 1929, at home in Gypsum Mines. The fourth of six children she was the last surviving member of her family.

Mom attended a two-room schoolhouse in Sweets Corner and completed Grade 10, which was the highest possible. Higher grades were only available by going to school in Windsor, something rarely done by girls. When she was 16, Mom joined her sister, Gladys, in Halifax and at Christmas time started work in the toy department at Eaton’s. Shortly afterward, she met my Dad, Bernie, who was in the army. In 1948 they were married and moved to Windsor, where they built our home.

For many years Mom worked in retail. At 40, she was able to pursue a life-long dream by taking a C.N.A. course at the Kentville Sanitorium. Mom loved nursing. Unfortunately, she had to retire in 1989, after being injured in a car accident.

My mother was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She could sew Halloween costumes and curtains, make casseroles and the best pie pastry ever. Her passion was gardening. Twice, Mom received the Best Gardens in Town award from Communities in Bloom and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. The results of her many years of hard work continue to be enjoyed by people passing by.

We did many wonderful trips together including several cruises and a European adventure in 2004, during which she celebrated her 75th birthday in Florence. At 83 Mom was diagnosed with lymphoma and everything changed. Although she was later deemed cancer-free, Mom suffered considerably from the cure. My mom is now in a place where there is no pain, along with my Dad, her parents, siblings and our beloved Miss Bella.

Besides her parents, Morrie and Frances, Mom was predeceased by my Dad, Bernie; siblings, Arnold, Perley, Gladys, Audrey and Freddie. She is survived by bother-in-law, Lawrence Cox; sister-in-law, Betty Harvey and me, her son, Alan.

A funeral Mass of Resurrection will be held 11 am Saturday, August 27 in St. John the Evangelist Church, 339 King St., Windsor, Father John MacPherson officiating. Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia (902-423-7530) or Corpus Christi (St. John the Evangelist) Parish. As a gesture to remember Mom, plant some fall bulbs and think of her when they bloom next spring.

Special thanks to Mom’s faithful friends, Alberta, Faye, Marilyn, Shirley and especially our dear friend, Thelma, who has helped us for many years. Thanks also to Dr. Viji Nathan, Dr. Amanda MacDonald, Dr. Cathryn Smith and Dr. Iona Wile as well as the nursing staff on Unit 200 at Hants Community Hospital.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca

“Mom, darlin, my life will never be the same without you in it. Dear Lord, please grant her eternal joy and peace.”