Josie Chisholm-Turner of Lower South River passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, in the Palliative Care Unit of the Dartmouth General Hospital on April 27th, 2024, at the age of 77.
Josie grew up in Ohio and was the oldest of seven children. She lost her dad at a young age and was always a helper to her mom, with whom she had a strong relationship for all of her life. She had fond memories of her brothers and sisters, their pet pig, and eating the crust of the freshly baked bread. She babysat for different families in her teenage years and went on to nursing school after high school. She graduated in 1967 and went to work at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital and Grace Maternity in Halifax where she loved being a nurse. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, working on the farm and raising 4 children. Later she worked at the RK Mac Donald Nursing home. She eventually went back to school and took a secretarial course and worked for 25 years at Dr. Steeves Hickey and Cameron’s office. She made quite the impression on their patients as everyone loved to hear her voice and see her face as she greeted them as they entered the office.
In 1996, Josie met Frank, a fisherman from Ecum Secum. They married in 1998, bought their mini home, and built a life together. They had 27 wonderful years together and enjoyed visiting different parts of the province, watching their grandchildren be born and grow, planting their flowers and gardens, and they loved each other in every way they could.
Josie was an avid gardener and was known for the beautiful flowers she planted every summer. She walked many miles everyday and many would see her walking along the Old South River Road. She was involved in both her and Frank’s church and was always ready to make a pan of squares or sandwiches for a function. She enjoyed reading and watching her game shows.
Mom loved her grandchildren and enjoyed every minute that she got to spend with them. They were her pride and joy. She always had to have a picture in her wallet and on her fridge to show people how they were growing. She attended every birthday party, basketball game, hockey game, volleyball game, and dance recital she got the chance to and was always so proud of them.
Mom had many friends, and she cherished the time she spent with them. She loved to chat, have a good cup of tea, and enjoyed lots of shopping trips with her friend Doreen. She was always a helper and a caregiver. She took care of everyone whether it was her mother, her siblings, her children, husband, friends, or neighbours. She made an impact on everyone.
When mom was diagnosed with cancer, she met it with positivity and a determination to fight. She never gave up and enjoyed good times despite fighting for her life. She lived the best she could including climbing the rocks at Peggy’s Cove, carving pumpkins, dancing in the kitchen, and baking 6 pans of Christmas squares 6 hours after a chemo treatment. She is our hero, and we will never forget her and her determination.
Josie will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her loving children, Daniel (Yvonne), Laurie (Tim), Alison (Kenny), Ian (Julia), her 7 grandchildren, Haley, Sarah, Mya, Amelia, Ava, Alex and Ruby; her siblings Mary (Johnny), Donnie (Doreen), Gerard (Peggy), John, the father of their children, John Van Den Heuvel; brother-in-law, Perlis Turner (Lorna), sister-in-law, Dianne Parker; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is predeceased by her husband, Frank Turner; her parents, Mary and Hugh Chisholm; brothers, Neil and Sandy Chisholm; sisters-in-law, Cathy Chisholm, Marguerite Chisholm, and Marie King.
The family wishes to thank Dr. David Faour in Antigonish, Mom’s girls on the chemo floor especially Courtney, MacKenzie, and Jillian, as well as the staff at Dartmouth General Hospital for taking such excellent care of mom over the past few months, specifically Dr. Jill Lawless, Patti MacDougall, and the palliative care team.
Visitation will be held Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigoinsh. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday at 10:00am in St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish, with Reverend Daniel MacLennan presiding. Burial in St. James and St. Paul Cemetery.
Donations in Mom’s name can be made to the Palliative Care Department of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation via their website – https://www.dghfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com