ERVIN, Mary Edna

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Mary Edna Ervin of Port Morien on August 20th, 2020 at the age of 86 after several years of illness. Edna was born May 14th, 1934 in Glace Bay, NS. She was the eldest daughter of Stanley & Dorothy (Bown) Ervin. Paternal grandparents were Scott & Alexis (MacLeod) Ervin and maternal grandparents were D’Arcy & Mary (MacAuley) Bown. As a child growing up in Port Morien, Edna attended the Gowrie School and later graduated from Morrison High School in Glace Bay in 1952. She went on to continue her education at the Royal Victoria Hospital “The Royal Vic” in Montreal where she graduated with her diploma in X-Ray Technology. Given her age at the time she received her diploma she was not eligible to receive a license, however, she was able to continue to work at the Royal Vic in the Radiology Department until she reached the age of 21 and received her License on her 21st birthday. Edna remained in Montreal until 1957 before accepting a position at Queen’s General Hospital in Liverpool, NS where she worked for the remainder of her career in both the X-Ray and Radiation Therapy Departments where she was on call 24/7. Edna enjoyed her years living and working in Liverpool and made many lifelong friends. After retiring, Edna remained in Liverpool for several years before returning to her childhood home in Port Morien where she lived with her sister Vida until her health began to deteriorate. For the last few years Edna resided at both Rideout House and Parkland in Sydney, NS. Edna had a wonderful memory and, being the oldest grandchild in the Ervin family and having grown up in Port Morien, she was a fountain of knowledge and was able to share many stories with younger family members about their parents, grandparents and even great grandparents. She embraced technology and became quite proficient with her iPad and cell phone until just days before her passing. She enjoyed doing family research, finding things in the most obscure places and sharing her findings much to the delight of the family. Edna was a member of St. John’s United Church in Port Morien, NS. She was predeceased by her parents, Stanley & Dorothy Ervin; brother, John Ervin and many aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she maintained close relationships with during her lifetime. Edna is survived by her sister, Vida Macdonald (Wayne Dec.); brother, Roger (Emily) Ervin and sister-in-law, Anna Ervin. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Kevin Lee, Karen Watson (nee Ervin), Rod Macdonald, Valerie Ervin, Brian Ervin, Nancy Ervin and Janet Ervin, along with grandnieces & nephews and many, many cousins. Edna cherished her many nieces and nephews as if they were her own children...all of them having received the benefits of her warm affection and generosity. She was a kind and peaceful lady with a clever sense of humour and a huge heart. She will be sorrowfully missed. A graveside service will be held Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11 a.m. in Black Brook Cemetery with Rev. Bob Biggar officiating. Words of comfort can be forwarded to the family at www.pattenfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers Edna has requested donations be made to the Queen’s General Hospital Foundation or charity of choice as Edna herself contributed to many charities and organizations during her lifetime. In her last years, Edna received many blood transfusions donated by anonymous caring people. Please consider being a blood donor as it truly is a gift of life.