‘She’d want everybody happy’
Daughter ensures mother’s memory lives on through Coldbrook fundraiser
Holding a fundraising event in her mom’s memory was one way to ensure the love and caring her mother shared with people and the world around her lives on.
Organizer Amy Landry of Coldbrook said her mom, the late Geraldine Landry of Kentville, was her best friend, her love and her inspiration. Geraldine had a heart of gold. She was a generous woman who was compassionate, caring and “would do anything for you.”
“Actually, all day long, I’ve been talking to her,” Landry said at the March 12 fundraiser held at the Coldbrook and District Lions Hall.
“It puts a smile on my face and just to see the enjoyment in everybody here gathering and carrying on, that’s what she would want, she’d want everybody happy.”
Landry said the fundraiser was originally planned to raise money for expenses relating to her mom’s chemotherapy treatments. Geraldine was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in December.
Geraldine began chemo treatments on Dec. 17. Landry said they celebrated her birthday with her in the hospital on Dec. 19 and she took her children to the hospital to visit their “Mammie” on Christmas Day.
Landry said the chemo treatments weakened her mother’s organs to the point that, one by one, they began failing. She said it wasn’t easy witnessing her mom’s suffering.
After her mom passed away on Feb. 2, Landry decided to continue with the fundraiser in her memory. Funds raised will help cover funeral expenses and other outstanding bills and will be used to make donations in Geraldine’s name in support of mental health, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Landry donated her mom’s clothes to the Canadian Diabetes Association, a cause Geraldine always supported.
Landry said her mother stayed positive through her diagnosis and medical treatments. She was actually excited about losing her hair so she could get a wig.
Landry said she thinks the fundraiser was a great tribute to her mom. She would have enjoyed the afternoon. The event included a ticket auction, bake sale, 50-50 draw and raffles on an Avon basket, Adirondack chair and a card table that turns.
Money was raised through free-will offerings at the canteen and there was live musical entertainment. Landry said her mom loved old-style country music.
Landry said she believes the turnout to the fundraiser is indicative of how well loved and remembered her mom is. They plan to hold another event in her memory in Cape Breton, where her mom was originally from.
As she copes with the loss of her mother, Landry said she draws strength from her three children, Troy, Shawn and Abbie. Along with her partner, Richard, they have provided her with a great support network.
Landry said that, at her mom’s funeral, they played Alan Jackson’s Sissy’s Song.
“There’s one part of the song that says don’t worry about me and that’s what mom was always saying, don’t worry about me,” Landry said. “She’s here having fun with us.”