TRYON, Thelma Barbara, R.N.

It is with inconsolable grief that we, the family of Thelma Barbara Tryon, Prime Brook, announce her passing on Nov. 21, 2015, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, following a brief illness. Thelma is survived by her only daughter, Barbara; her son-inlaw, Lawrence LeLievre and her grandson, Ben Falconer, whom she referred to as “My Darling”. Known as Toddy to her family and closest friends, she is also survived by her elder sister, Leona MacNeil, New Waterford; her brothers, Rev. T.H. Lathigee, Sydney, and Arnold Lathigee, Halifax; and by her youngest sister, Bernice (John) O’Halloran, Ottawa; as well as, Don’s sister, Helen Slattery, Montreal and his brother, Ken (Shirley), Edmonton, her seventeen nieces and nephews, and their children. Also feeling this deep loss are her sister-in-law, Annette Purcell, and dear friends, Cathy Aikens and Marilyn MacIntyre.

Besides her parents, Tom and Rose (Burke) Lathigee, Thelma was predeceased by her husband, Donald, her twin sister, Marguerite Lussier and her sister, Rose Marina Brown.

Following graduation in 1953, from St. Martha’s School of Nursing, Antigonish, Thelma was a staff nurse at St. Rita Hospital, Sydney, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Glace Bay, and the Point Edward Hospital. She was then commissioned with the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a Flying Sister, with postings in the Eastern Townships and St. Jean, Quebec. After marrying Don, she worked in Montreal and numerous hospitals throughout Ontario. When her family moved to Cape Breton in 1970, Thelma joined the staff of Spring Garden Villa, eventually becoming their Director of Nursing (and of Resident Care). She was known to be a firm, but fair director who frequently replaced administrators during their absences. She could scatter the nurses at their station simply by walking down the halls! Her nurses were known to say “Oh, oh….here comes Mrs. Tryon!” One of Thelma’s proudest moments was achieving the first Accreditation for her nursing home; the second was the birth of her much loved grandson, Ben!

There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be conducted by her brother, Fr. Tom Lathigee, at Chant’s Funeral Home, Sydney, on Saturday Dec. 5, 2015, at 1 p.m. Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lung Association of N.S. or the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.