Obituary of Mary Genevieve Greene

It is with sadness in our hearts that we share with you the sudden passing of Mary Genevive “Gene” (Gill) Greene, formerly of Sackville, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, in Parkstone Enhanced Care, Halifax.

Known as Gene to most and Deedee to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and those who "adopted" her as their mom or grandmother. She was born on December 25, 1935, in Sydney. She married Harold Fenwick Greene in 1958. Together they first lived in Toronto and then settled in Portage, Cape Breton, in 1960 and raised their children there. During their time in Cape Breton, Mom worked for many years in the office at Chappell’s Building Supply Company, which became Nova Scotia Building Supplies. They moved to Beaver Bank in 1982 where she started a job at Mount Saint Vincent University in the student accounts office and then the purchasing department until her retirement. It was there she met her best buddy, Shirley Jollimore and they met for lunch every Friday continuing well past retirement.

Gene was an energetic person always up to something! She had lots of hobbies such as walking, reading, knitting and cross stitching. She loved her Blue Jays and spent many a times passionately “speaking” to the players from her Lazy Boy chair. She spoke on the phone every Sunday with her sister-in-law, Judy and enjoyed catching up on the family news with her. She liked to be busy and give back to the community. She volunteered for Feed NS in the office for years and was awarded their Helping Hands award for volunteer of the year. She then moved to the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) and volunteered there for several years. She could often be found knitting scarves and lap blankets for seniors. She was a kind and caring person and loved to help others.

Mom had an excellent sense of humor and had a witty comeback for anything. She loved to laugh and made sure everyone enjoyed themselves and were cared for. When the time came for her to be taken care of, her daughter-in-law, Christine, stepped in and cared for her with love and compassion, for which we are grateful. She was small but mighty and a fierce force to be reckoned with. She had a strong work ethic that she instilled in each of her children. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took a genuine interest in their lives. Deedee was a great listener, an excellent confidant and always knew how to comfort people. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Left with many loving memories are her children, Janice Varvel, Michael (Pauline), Richard (Susan), Robert (Christine) and Lynda. Also, 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; sister, Carol; brother, Bill and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Gene was predeceased by her husband, Harold; her brother, Tom and granddaughter, Tanya.

The family would like to thank the staff of Parkstone Enhanced Care, McNabs Court, for the care provided to their mom during her stay there.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). As per Gene's wishes, there will be no service or visitation. Interment will take place at a later date in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middleton. In lieu of flowers, Gene has asked that donations be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses Halifax, 7075 Bayers Rd., Suite 100, Halifax, NS B3L 2C2 or the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank, 2415 Maynard St., Halifax, NS B3K 3V2. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.