Obituary of Judith Anne Scrimger

It is with great sadness that Norman, Ian, Shengrong and Robbie Scrimger share the passing of their wife, mother and grandmother from pancreatic cancer. Judith died peacefully at home in Ashdale, Hants County, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, after a short stay in Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. Born March 14 1949, she was a daughter of the late Robinson Muma and Aletha Florence (Weir) MacNicol.

Judith came full circle in her life, from the early years growing up on a dairy farm in Duntroon, ON, to ending her life on a small hobby farm in Hants County. She met Norm at Western University in London, ON when he was working on a PhD in astronomy and she was studying education. After a stint teaching high school, she completed an MA in journalism and worked for CFPL radio and the Globe and Mail. She also spent time as a recruiter and educator for the development agency, CUSO.

She and Norman married in 1975 and with a move to Nova Scotia, they never looked back. Judith joined the public relations department at Mount Saint Vincent University where she won many teaching awards and was a very popular instructor. Students often stayed in touch with her long after graduation. At the Mount, she served on the Senate and board of governors' committees, and was a strong faculty union member, especially during the fight to unionize in the 1980s. After moving to Hants County in 1993, Judith became an energetic volunteer with the Avon Pony Club. She acted as Ian's full-time groom when he competed at horse shows across the Maritimes and Ontario, and would compete locally herself on Silver Chimes and Just Bob. After her cancer diagnosis, she generously organized riding lessons with her horse Ella for her "grandfriend", Clara, and was always proud of her accomplishments.

Judith and Norm quickly became an integral part of the Ashdale community. They were founding members of the Meander River Farm and Brewery (conveniently located just down the road), a gathering place for markets, pub and music nights, birthdays and anniversaries. They walked their dogs in the local woods and on beaches regularly and Judith indulged her love of riding and horses. She belonged to two book clubs, one in Halifax and one in Ashdale, and her contributions were thoughtful and incisive. As one friend said: "She made every gathering feel more alive for being in it." As she dealt with her illness over the past 18 months, she continued to make friends with nurses, doctors and other patients.

Besides her immediate family, she leaves her sister, Mary Helen Garvin of Barrie, ON, friends across the country, and a vacancy in every book club, pub night and conversation that mattered. She will be greatly missed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A private burial was held in Burlington Cemetery, Barley St., Burlington, Kings Co. All are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, June 6, at 2 p.m. at Equinox Stables, 1212 Woodville Rd., Ashdale, Hants Co. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Judith may be made to The Lodge That Gives, 5826 South St., Halifax, NS B3H 1S6 or a charity of one’s choice. Messages may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca, open the obituary and click on the condolence tab.