Maureen Theresa (Bellefontaine), Henley
It is with tremendous sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a truly wonderful woman, devoted mother and sister, proud Nanny and loyal friend.
After a brave but short battle with cancer, Maureen passed away peacefully on December 9, 2020, surrounded by family.
Born and raised in Dartmouth, she was the daughter of the late Evelyn (Lapierre) and Earl Bellefontaine.
Maureen graduated from St. Peters school with her commerical secretarial diploma and worked for many years at City Hall and STE Fetterly and Sons, before deciding to become a stay at home mother to her two beloved children.
She was a devoted mother who was a brownie leader, a member of the PTA, and a full-time taxi driver and chauffeur, always ensuring that her children and their friends got to all of their activities on time.
She volunteered at the Lawrencetown Community Centre and the Dartmouth General Hospital (DGH) for many years and re-entered the workforce when her children were grown, working in the lab at the DGH.
Maureen loved music and was a member of the Scotian Aires and the Monday Music Mavens. She loved to dance and spent many Saturday nights with friends and neighbours at the Lawrencetown Community Centre and other venues "cutting the rug" with her husband Jim.
She loved to sew and quilt and was a member of the Lawrencetown Sew Sisters, and Fabric and Fibre Artists. Her love of quilting and her family is evidenced by the many gorgeous quilts that she made for those that she loved.
Maureen enjoyed travelling, spending time at the camp and being surrounded by family and friends. She always welcomed company and encouraged people to drop in, but if you came early or unannounced, she would be running down the hall to get her lipstick, blush and bling on! She always had an accessory on that sparkled, or maybe it just seemed that way because of her sparkling personality.
She is survived by her husband James "Jim" of 53 years; son, Greg (Tena); daughter, Christina; adored granddaughters, Lauren and Jenna; her sister, Shirley Woodley (Jim); brother, Paul Bellefontaine (Sherry); and many nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by her grand"dogter", Lucy.
She was predeceased by her brother, Lawrence (Leslie); sister, Janice (Keith); special Auntie, Bea; and nephew, Robbie.
The family would like to extend our love and special thanks to the following:
June Cashin and The Monday Music Mavens who fed Maureen and her family over the course of her illness.
Her sister Shirley for her true devotion to Maureen during the last months. Whatever Maureen wanted or needed, Shirley provided.
Maureen’s sister- in-law Beth Jewer, who helped Maureen with things she was no longer able to do.
The Palliative Care and Respiratory teams, and the nurses on 4E at Dartmouth General Hospital, in particular Simon Cooper who went above and beyond to ensure Maureen’s brief time in hospital was one filled with compassion and dignity.
Lifetime friend and neighbour, Joey Leblanc for making and donating Maureen’s beautiful urn.
Harry and "Nurse" Susan Grant for your special friendship and support towards Maureen and Jim during this very difficult time.
And countless other friends, neighbours and family members who brought food, sent cards and flowers, called, visited and sent well wishes and prayers.
Maureen was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support she received and she kept saying, "How am I ever going to be able to pay all of these people back?" To which her family would reply, you have always paid it forward, through your loving and generous spirit and it is now those that love you that are paying you back.
To know her, is to love her. There is no truer statement than that to describe Maureen. May she rest in peace.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Craigs Cause pancreatic cancer or lung cancer.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.Atlanticfuneralhomes.com Dartmouth Chapel.