Carmita Bernice Fetterly

Age 98, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021. Born in Lakeville, on December 23, 1922 and raised in Kentville, she was a daughter of the late Dora and C.B. Robinson. Carmita graduated from Acadia University with a Diploma in Secretarial Sciences in 1942, a B.A. in 1943, and an M.A. (Economics) in 1947. She held a variety of secretarial jobs across Canada in the ensuing years, including working at the Aluminum Company of Canada (Montreal), Acadia University (secretary to the President), Banff Springs Hotel, St. Andrews Hotel (New Brunswick), Dominion Stores (Halifax), Naval Research Establishment (Dartmouth).

After her marriage in 1953 to Ivan Davison, Carmita settled down to family life in Halifax, raising two daughters. She pursued her love of handiwork including knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, petitpointe, smocking, quilting, rug hooking, and annual Christmas crafts, many of which continue to be family treasures. Carmita also became involved in the life of her church, Edgewood United (now Hope United), notably as an active member of the "Daffodil" unit of the United Church Women. Once the children were grown, she returned to secretarial work, again in a variety of capacities, including working for the Dalhousie University Chaplains, an engineering office, and finally as the office manager for UNICEF in Halifax. After Ivan’s death in 1982, Carmita married Warren Fetterly in 1985 and together they enjoyed golf at Ashburn and Chester, travelling, cottaging in Chester Basin, and winters in Florida and Arizona, making friends wherever they went.

Carmita had a tremendous sense of curiosity and adventure, willing and able to try new things throughout her life. In her younger days she was an adept skater and later became an avid bowler, often winning Halifax’s Sunset Bowling League’s annual award for women’s high average. Happier in the garden than in the kitchen, always with a project on the go, she was an amazing independent-minded role model for her children and grandchildren. Carmita treasured her family and friends above all else and enjoyed many special lifelong friendships. She leaves an inspiring legacy of humility, loyalty, and a life well-lived.

Carmita was predeceased by her first husband of 29 years, J. Ivan Davison, in 1982, and her second husband of 33 years, Warren E. Fetterly, in 2018; as well as her one sibling, I. Maxwell Robinson, in December 2017. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Anne Tipler (Grant) of Chester Basin and Joan Davison Atkinson (Brooks) of Halifax, as well as grandchildren: Kelly Tipler, Mississauga, Ont.; Allison Tipler (Dave Mason), Milton, Ont.; Andrew Conrod (Yen Tran), Toronto, Ont.; Meredith Conrod (Mark Ledain), Calgary, Alta.; and Daniel Conrod (Katrina Macrae), Halifax; and great-grandchildren: Henry Conrod, Toronto and Alexander Ledain, Calgary.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the incredible, caring staff at Parkland at the Gardens, and also to the wonderful Ariane Carandang. A private service will be held and live-streamed from J.A. Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive Halifax, on Thursday, January 21st at 10 a.m. To view live-stream visit: https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/22941

Family flowers only. Donations in Carmita’s memory can be made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, The Arthritis Society, or a charity of your choice. To place an online condolence, please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com