Visitation
Obituary of Marion Best
It is with the deepest sadness that we share the news of the passing of our mother, Marion Rose Best (Lynds), 87, of Westville, formerly of West River Station and London Ontario. She went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 5, 2024.
Marion was Born in London Ontario 16 JUN 1937 to Albert Baldwin and Flora Baldwin (Hall).
Marion worked as a secretary in London until she met her future husband, and the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Best, formerly of West River Station. Jerry had been posted to London with the Canadian Armed Forces. They later married at 18 years old and were posted to Kentville. They also lived in Oromocto NB, Germany, Petawawa ON, London ON and then moved back to Greenwood Nova Scotia. They spent several months in Greenwood and then in 1978 decided to move back to the family farm on the Montreal Rd in West River Station to be closer to Jerry’s family.
The family owned many acres of land, including several that were covered in wild blueberries and Marion worked in the blueberries each summer.
Marion had excellent secretarial skills. She was able to type in excess of 120 words per minute without mistakes. These and other skills enabled her to take up employment at the Pictou County Lands Assessment Office, where she worked for many years.
Marion truly had a green thumb, with various plants scattered throughout her home.
She was also an avid gardener, tending a very large vegetable garden during her years in West River.
In the summer, she was often seen outdoors, weeding her massive garden, tending to the flowering lilac bushes in front of the house, picking rhubarb, or roaming the blueberry fields, looking for just the right patch of berries to pick. And when the time for canning came, she would spend long hours on weekends, when she wasn’t at her
Mon-Fri job, bottling every sort of vegetable and making blueberry and raspberry jam, treats we all enjoyed over the course of the long NS winters.
Wherever Marion lived she developed close friendships that endured many decades.
Marion loved to sing. She would often sing as she did household chores around the farmhouse. She was a champion tea drinker, always having a cup on the go or a pot ready. She had many past times, including knitting, crocheting. Marion would make masterful doilies and afghans. She also enjoyed a juicy romance novel.
Marion had a very strong faith in the Lord from a very young age. She read her Bible daily and regularly prayed for her family and friends. She attended several churches in the area over the years, such as the People’s church in Truro, Munroe Avenue Baptist Church in New Glasgow, and later Maranatha Bible Church on Abercrombie Road. For many years of her life, Sunday mornings would find her listening to Perry Rockwood and the People’s Gospel Hour, a ministry that she faithfully supported for many years.
After she and Jerry separated, she spent some time on the family farm in West River.
Marion lived for many years on the Foxbrook Road, just outside of Westville,
and later moved to MacKay Street in Westville where she resided for several years.
One and ½ years ago, Marion was no longer able to live on her own, and moved into Valley View Villa in Riverton. She spent the remainder of her years there.
Our family is so thankful for the care and love that was given to our mother in that last year and ½ of her life. From the Nurses, CCA’s , Recreation, Housekeeping, Maintenance and Administration of Valley View Villa she was shown kindness and patience and love. For that we will be forever grateful.
Marion is survived by her 6 children:
Katherine (Kathy) Greene – London, Ontario
Lawrence (Larry) Best - Truro, NS
Sharon Smith (Robert Sutherland) - Westville, NS
Patricia (Patsy) Chapman – Red Deer, Alberta
Christine Jackson – Westville, NS
David Best (Jenny) – Hong Kong, China
Grandchildren
Kathy Greene - Gordon MacIntosh, Gerry MacIntosh, Aaron MacIntosh (DEC)
Sharon Smith - Lisa Smith, Cherie Smith, Daniel Smith, Tyler Smith
Patsy Chapman - Sarah Hamlin, Amber Hill, Nathan Chapman, Vanessa Chapman,
Alison Chapman, Stephanie Coleman, Colin Chapman
Christine Jackson – Justin Connors, Alicia Jackson, Lindsey Jackson
David Best - Matthew Best, Abigail Best
Brother-in-law – Derrick Hiscox -niece Jenine (Bernie) Johnson, nephews Doug (Nancy) Hiscox and Don Hiscox.
Many Great Grandchildren!!!
Marion was predeceased by her first husband, Gerald (Jerry) Albert Best of West River Station; Sister Jean Hiscox of Strathroy ON, 1st born child Jerry Jr.
Marion’s family will receive visitors Tuesday 13 AUG 24 between 2-4PM. There will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be in the Hill Cemetery, West River Station, at a later date.
IF ROSES GROW IN HEAVEN
If roses grow in Heaven Lord, please pick a bunch for us.
Place them in our Mother’s arms and tell her they’re from us
Tell her that we love her, and that we will miss her so.
Place a kiss upon her cheek, we hate to see her go,
And when she’s sad, Please Lord, hug and hold her for a while,
Mom, all your love and kindness, we will remember with a smile
You will be in our thoughts each and every day,
We are so sad Mom that you couldn’t stay,
While we are so very grateful for the love you always showed
Your time with us has ended as your Lord has called you home