KING, Nancy Leigh

Nancy Leigh King, 47 Sydney, formerly of Port Hawkesbury, passed away Friday, October 2, 2020, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish surrounded by her loving family. Born in Antigonish, she was a daughter of Jim and Helen (Keefe) King, Port Hawkesbury. Nancy spent her first five years living in Point Tupper before moving to Port Hawkesbury. She graduated with Honours from SAERC in 1991. She attended the University of King’s College in Halifax where she earned a degree in journalism in 1995. Nancy began working at the Port Hawkesbury Reporter before moving on to the Cape Breton Post where she has worked for the last 21 years. She developed wonderful friendships with her colleagues there. Nancy had an amazing career and was known for her objectivity, fairness and tenacity-no matter how big or small the story. She was very proud of her work, especially the many stories regarding an abuse case involving young boys which began in the Strait area and spanned two continents. Her extensive knowledge of the case led to her being interviewed by a national news outlet. While covering a recent murder trial she developed a friendship with Silver Donald Cameron, which resulted in several of her photos being featured in his final book “Blood On The Water”. Nancy’s favourite moment in her career was writing a story about Canada’s first female astronaut, Roberta Bondar after meeting and spending the day with her at her summer home in Baddeck. An avid hockey fan, Nancy loved her Detroit Red Wings and had many interesting spats with her father, often razzing him about his Toronto Maple Leafs. Nancy’s true passion was music, having travelled throughout Canada following some of her favorite bands. Her playlist included songs from REM, The Tragically Hip, Modest Mouse, The Weakerthans and many more. Nancy is survived by her parents, Jim and Helen; sister, Mary (Scott) Delaney; special nieces who she loved with all her heart, Jordan (Goddaughter), Cameron and Kendall all of Port Hawkesbury; Godfather/Uncle, John (Bernadette) Keefe, Evanston; who was more like a brother to her; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and her special “fur baby,” Ezra, who was truly treated like a real child. She was predeceased by maternal grandparents, Arthur and Mae Keefe; paternal grandparents, Ed and Laura King, all formerly of Point Tupper. In keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, all attendees will be asked to provide their names and telephone numbers upon arrival at the funeral home and the church. Social distancing protocols are to be followed and masks are mandatory. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral Mass will be Friday, October 9 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury, with Father Conrad Edwards officiating. Burial in the parish Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Strait Serenity Club or the SPCA of Cape Breton. Family flowers only please. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com.