Obituary of Goldie Kay McDow

It is with heavy hearts the family announces the peaceful passing of Goldie Kay (Lockhart) McDow of Mount Denson, at the age of 80, at her son’s home with family, on Friday, May 31, 2024, after a brief journey with cancer. Born in Kentville on July 20, 1943, she was the youngest daughter of the late Grant and Margaret (Schofield) Lockhart.  

She was predeceased by her parents and loving husband of nearly 62 years, Darrell “Ducky” McDow.  Goldie was the last surviving member of her immediate family which included sisters, Alma Russell and Ella Bezanson; brothers, Chesley, Sherman, Harley and Charles (at birth) Lockhart.

Goldie is survived by her three daughters: Eva (Paul) Cook, Pine Grove; Lisa (Steven) Cook, Hebbs Cross; Nadine (Jacques) Beaudoin, Calgary; her son, Jerome (Krista) McDow, Mount Denson; beloved grandchildren, (E) Benjamin Cook (Kayla Rhodenizer), Hannah Cook (Elliot Wajchendler), Leah (Ryan) Mercer and Abigail Cook (Thomas Smith); (L) Miranda (Bruce) Heim and Grant Cook ; (J) Kiya McDow (Nathan Henley); great-grandchildren, Millie Wajchendler, Maren  Mercer and Martha Heim.

Goldie received her Cosmetology diploma and worked as a hairdresser until she became a full-time mother to her four children while working alongside Darrell on their hobby farm. When her children were older, she then took on jobs such as delivering the Chronicle Herald and working part-time in the Acadia University Biology Department.

She lived a full life and was known for being caring, talented, outgoing and always lending a helping hand wherever she could to everyone around her. She was a steadfast pillar of her community of Mount Denson where she was actively involved in canvassing for Heart and Stroke, Cancer Society, Kidney Foundation and being a proud volunteer with the Mount Denson Community Hall. One of her proudest achievements was running and organizing the card games at the Mount Denson Community Hall where she made and auctioned off her famous apple pies, which raised over $7000.00 and paid for many improvements to the Hall which will continue to enrich the lives of those in the community.

One of Goldie’s lifelong passions was 4-H. She started out as a project leader at the Dyke 4-H Club and from there moved to the Border Riders 4-H Club. In this club she served for over 50 years in many capacities from project leader for sewing and handicrafts all the way to General Leader. From this position she was able to mentor youth in areas such as public speaking, achievement days, exhibitions and provincial shows. Goldie also served as president of the Hants County 4-H Council as well as a director to the Nova Scotia Provincial Council. 4-H enabled Goldie to travel to many areas of Canada, including a provincial exchange to Leoville Saskatchewan and Toronto Ontario, where she was selected as a Nova Scotia leader to attend the prestigious National 4-H Leaders Conference. In 2023, Goldie also won the Friends of Nova Scotia 4-H Award. She gave her time effortlessly to those around her and was a true leader to anyone who needed help.

For many years, Goldie devoted her time to growing along side of her family and volunteering in the many organizations they were involved in such as CGIT, Brownies, Windsor School hot lunch program and Windsor Regional High School Band. She and Darrell could always be found at school concerts, school sporting events and any 4-H event, ox pull, or exhibition around NS. They always ensured to make time to enjoy the monthly Winsport Dance Club, water colour painting, gardening and learning to play guitar. She also took a keen interest in the Royal Family and particularly Princess Diana.

With Christmas being Goldies favorite holiday, it gave her the opportunity to again contribute to the Border Riders 4-H Club by organizing a Christmas wreath fundraiser. She coordinated the selling, picking up, decorating with her hand made bows and delivering them, all with Darrell’s help. Over her lifetime the number of bows she made for the wreathes numbered in the many thousands. Goldie extended her generous support to numerous organizations and immersed herself in the member and President roles in the Mount Denson Garden Club, Mount Denson Baptist Church Loyal Workers, Mount Denson Community Hall, Minas Waves Seniors Club, Windsor Forks and Port Williams Women's Institute, Bishopville Card Party, Lockhartville Hall and Card Party, and the Blue Mountain Cemetery Association. She was also president of the district for Martock Windsor Forks–South Rawdon-Three Corners Women’s Institute. 

When not lending her time to others, you could find Goldie using her hands to bring her ideas to life through sewing, quilting, ceramics, painting and any other crafting activity you could think of. She shared these many passions with her family having helped with many of their creations and own projects. You could also always count on Goldie to be there and usually not empty handed. Having become known for always having a sweet treat ranging from lemon loaf to her famous pies. Those around her were blessed to have shared many meals and conversations over her baked beans, hodge podge, rolls and many other recipes.

During the summer months, many meals, sweet treats and laughter were shared at Goldie and Darrell’s cottage on Murphy Lake. Known to be a place of relaxation and good conversation, the cottage was their happy place, having spent summers there for over 50 years. In their younger years, the cottage was home to many parties, block games, card games, campfires (with pie irons of course!), water skiing, sing songs and midnight boat outings. As the years went on her focus switched to entertaining old friends, family and grandchildren but the constant was always love and laughter and creating memories that will last a lifetime for those involved.

Goldie loved to be there for those around her and was known for doing anything she put her mind to. All the while she was volunteering and spending time with family, she created a life filled with memories of love, friendship and created a legacy that will continue for all those who loved her and will miss her dearly.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317).  A celebration of life will take place on Friday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m., in Hantsport Baptist Church, 6 Willow St., Hantsport, Rev. Jennifer Riley officiating, with a reception to follow immediately after in the Wellwood Community Hall. Interment will take place at a later date in Blue Mountain Cemetery, Blue Mountain, Kings Co. Donations in Goldie’s memory may be made to the Mt. Denson Community Hall, C/O Darlene Cummins, 1278 Hwy. 1, Mt. Denson, NS B0P 1P0; the Blue Mountain Cemetery Association, C/O Trudy MacDonald, 15 Little Fox Lane, Halifax, NS B3M 3J2 or to a charity of one’s choice.  Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca