Obituaries
The passing of Renee Sagebear Albrecht on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Nova Scotia, marked the end of an era for those whose lives she touched. With her dearest husband, Peter Dobler, by her side, Renee peacefully transitioned to the other side.
Her loving son, Sheldon (Tiffany) and her caring stepdaughter, Natasha (Hugo), will ensure that Renee’s legacy never fades. Renee was predeceased by her late son, Andrew, whom she missed deeply. She was a wise and practical woman who took a genuine interest in her grandchildren, Leroy, Theo, Taylor and Tyson, imparting many lessons to them through the years. Renee’s honorary sister, Jin-Kyung, and Renee’s nephew, Tae-Oh, held a special place in her life and in her heart. Renee shared many adventures, stories and laughs with her myriad friends from across the country.
Renee believed in the power of community building to drive social change. As an unapologetic feminist, she dared to dream, and boldly birthed her ideas to life. After graduating from McMaster University, Renee opened the first and only feminist bookstore in Hamilton, radically transforming the lives of women and the queer community locally and globally. From 1985 until 2001, the Women’s Bookstop became a safe space and hub of activity for women to learn, explore, write, discuss, express, create, organize, conspire, rage, laugh, hug, cry, celebrate and dance.
In 1992, Renee proudly received the Governor General of Canada Community Service Award in recognition of her contributions and achievements.
Renee also had an affinity with all things life and nature. In 2003, she forged a new path by becoming a homeopathic medicine practitioner, focusing on women’s health and midwifery. Her purpose was helping people to be the healthiest, truest version of themselves.
In 2007 on vacation with a friend, Renee stumbled upon and fell in love with Canso, Nova Scotia. Not wasting a moment of her life, she followed her intuition and quickly moved to the big yellow house on the hill in the tiny ocean-side town.
Putting her passion for grassroots community development to work in Canso, Renee was an integral part of preserving and expanding the Canso Library, the creation of the Canso Garden Club and receiving numerous grants to fund local projects to invigorate the community.
Renee was a creative powerhouse. She wrote every day and was proud to publish two books. She painted endlessly and showcased her artwork collectively with friends across the country. Through her photography, she magically captured nature’s beauty.
Her big warm smile was approachable and her character was inviting. She will always be remembered as someone who lived her life to the fullest every day. Her curiosity and thirst for knowledge was a driving force in all that she did.
On any given day, she could easily be found diving into a cold lake or ocean, walking her spiral prayer circle, baking sourdough bread in her kitchen or hiking the trails of Nova Scotia. She loved freedom, adventures and the outdoors – from coast to coast.
Renee was an artist, an activist, a community builder, an entrepreneur, a writer, a homeopath, a creator, a dreamer, a doer, a mother, a daughter, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a neighbour, a colleague and a life partner for 45 years. She will be incredibly missed, but her spirit will live on in those whose lives she touched.
There will be a memorial gathering for friends and family of Renee on Saturday, April 20, from 2-5 p.m., in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 121 School St., Canso, Nova Scotia.
There will also be a memorial gathering for friends and family of Renee in Hamilton, Ontario, at a date yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canso Garden Club or a charity of your choice in Renee’s honour.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, sister and grandmother, Elizabeth “Bessie” Isabel Connolly, 91, of Guysborough Intervale, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in Guysborough Memorial Hospital, with her loving family by her side.
Bessie was born on May 13, 1932, on North Riverside to Ernest and Eva (Marr) Hall. After beginning her journey as a schoolteacher in the local communities of Guysborough, she dedicated her life to caring for her family.
A true epitome of patience and unconditional love, Bessie saw the best in everyone and approached life with unwavering positivity. Her laughter was infectious, her work ethic unparalleled and her wit unmatched. She radiated love, which manifested in simple gestures like making French toast, extending warm hospitality and faded dinosaur books.
Bessie cherished life’s simple pleasures—books and poetry, long chats with her sisters, heartfelt prayers and friendly card games. Her kitchen was a haven, where she excelled at baking the best bread, keeping her cookie tin perpetually full and ensuring the teapot was always ready. She was a steadfast presence, always there when needed; her courage and patience will forever be etched in our hearts.
Bessie is survived by her sister, Florence Kelly, Roman Valley; her children, Leo (Beverly) Kelley, Halifax; Phoebe Cleary, Guysborough Intervale; and Darlene (Allan) Myers, Guysborough Intervale; daughter-in-law, Shelley Flavin, Calgary; cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, John; sons, Wayne Connolly and Kenneth Flavin; brothers, John (Reva) Hall, James Hall, Charles Hall and Parker Hall; sisters, Gertrude (Alphonse) David and Margaret, in infancy; brothers-in-law, Bernard Kelly, Ronald (Rita) Connolly, Kenneth (Margaret) Connolly, Eric (Lydia) Connolly, Cyril (Grace) Connolly, Lenard (Anna) Connolly; sister-in-law, Irene (Clarence) Long; and son-in-law, Duane Cleary.
The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at the Guysborough Memorial Hospital and the Milford Haven Home for their exceptional care. A special acknowledgment to Dr. Ranjini for her dedicated care over the years. They are also grateful for all those who took the time to provide music and entertainment at the Milford Haven Home, activities that never failed to brighten Bessie’s day.
A wake was held on April 8 in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Guysborough. The funeral service took place on April 9 in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Guysborough Intervale, with Father Gerald David officiating. Burial followed in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the recreation department at the Milford Haven Home would be greatly appreciated.
Bessie’s legacy of love and resilience will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and cherished her. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
Horne, Donald Alexander “Donnie” – 52, of Lower Sackville, formally of Canso, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the QEII Infirmary Hospital in Halifax. He was the son of Margaret “Marg” (Richardson) and the late Terrence “Terry” Horne.
Everyone who knew Donnie loved him so very much and knew he was an extremely special man. He is survived by his loving mother, Margaret “Marg” Horne; sister, Ann Marie (Rick) O’Handley; uncles, Pat (Gail) Richardson, Paul (Lorna) Horne, Gary Horne; numerous cousins and extended family from his group home in Lower Sackville, where he resided for the past 30 years.
Donnie was predeceased by loving father, Terrance “Terry” Horne; maternal grandparents, Don and Minnie Richardson; paternal grandparents, Harry and Lucy Horne; aunt and godmother, Anita Richards; aunt, Phyllis MacDonald; uncles, Ronnie and Cyril Horne.
The family thanks the staff of the QEII Infirmary Hospital and the awesome medical team for the wonderful care they provided. A special thank you also to the RRSS team, who were Donnie’s second family, and who loved him and miss him so much.
Visitation took place April 14 at Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Canso. Funeral service was held Monday, April 15, from Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Canso, with Fr. Jonathan Nnajiofor officiating. Burial followed in the parish cemetery.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com.
