Obituary of Mona Grace Nowe

Mona passed peacefully supported by the presence of loving family on May 31, 2023, at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. Born in West Dalhousie at the Hannam family home and corner store to Muriel (Durling) and Stanley Hannam on July 31, 1932. Mona was predeceased by her parents Muriel and Stanley Hannam, and sister Audrey Mack.  She is survived by husband David Nowe, sons David Humphreys (Margie), Rodney Humphreys (Ellen), Kerry Humphreys (Zoe), Stan Humphreys (Toby); grandchildren Lauren, Nicholas, Rachel, Maxwell, and Samuel; great granddaughter Piper; her brother Darrell Hannam (Connie), nieces, nephews, and a score of Durling and Hannam cousins.

Mona lived a long and full life.  She attended the one-room schoolhouse in Dalhousie, and boarded in Annapolis Royal to complete high school. She moved to Dartmouth and began her career with the Royal Bank of Canada. Mona started her family of four boys in Bathurst New Brunswick and made regular trips back home to Dalhousie, packing everyone up in the back of the Volkswagen Bug.

Mona moved back to Bridgetown in 1960.  She later met David Nowe and remarried on May 20^th, 1972. They built their new home together in the “Pasture” neighbouring her sister Audrey and brother-in-law David Mack. Mona enjoyed swimming and socializing after work.  Later they returned to Dalhousie and soon became neighbours with her brother Darrell and sister-in-law Connie. Mona enjoyed skiing and fishing in the trout pond, and frequent gatherings and games (favorite Skip Bo) with her children and grandchildren in Dalhousie, particularly during Christmas when everyone came home for the holidays. Mona was a faithful Anglican, hosting Sunday School with Connie for the children in the community. Known by her grandchildren as Nanny Mona, there were always gingerbread men in the cookie jar.  She would instruct kids to “Bite the legs off first, so they don’t run away!”. If children arrived for a sleepover without pajamas, Nan would sew a pair from leftover fabric, never missing an opportunity for the kids to wind her bobbins. Mona was a skilled seamstress sewing costumes for the Bridgetown Skating Club and taking in pants for hemming into her 70s. While living back home in Dalhousie there were many Cousin Parties down at the Church Camp. Mona was a regular volunteer at the Church Camp suppers that were celebrated every fall at Gibson Lake.  She was an active volunteer for community organizations and gatherings.

After retiring from the Royal Bank of Canada, Mona and Dave enjoyed their winter condominium in Panama City Beach Florida. Mona was an avid shuffleboard player and enjoyed walking the beaches and swimming with friends.

In 2007, Dave and Mona moved to Baden Powell Drive in Coldbrook, where she quickly made friends with her neighbours, and joined them each week for cards. She enjoyed her patio garden with scarlet runner beans and her classic red geraniums. Mona will always be remembered for her kindness, love of family and her party earrings which she wore for any occasion. Mona was the thread that sewed her family together.  We will miss her light.

The family would like to thank Dr. Keough and the staff at Valley Regional Hospital for their care over the past weeks.

A graveside service will be held at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church (Cemetery) at Durling’s Lake, West Dalhousie Saturday June 10, 2023, beginning at 3:30 pm. followed by a reception at the Community Hall. Donations in her memory can be made to a charity of your choice or to the Cemetery at Saint Peter’s.