Obituary of Leota Maie Daniels

Age 91, of Windsor Forks, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 with loving members of her family by her side. Leota and her twin sister, Leona were born to the late Roy and Lola (Keizer) Fraser in Halls Harbour, on January 20, 1930, the youngest of 11 children. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband, Kenneth Daniels; siblings, Lima (Reg) Hurley, Elden (Muriel) Fraser, Raymond Fraser, Alta (Jim) Benjamin, Blake Fraser, Iva Mae Fraser (in infancy), Lorimer Fraser, Mildred (Rufus) Rockwell, Lola (Lewis) Bezanson; four nephews and in-law siblings, Paul Boylen, Jean Daniels and Rev. Donald Miller. Leota is survived by her children, Linda Harris (Robert Bennett); Barbara Daniels-Lake (David Lake); Caroll (Robert) Darling and Michael (Lana) Daniels; grandchildren, Julie (Dylan) Harris-McDonald, Marc, Sean and Regan Daniels, and Daniel and Vanessa Lake; one great-granddaughter, Emmerson Daniels; twin sister, Leona Boylen; in-law siblings, Mary Fraser, Olive Fraser, Elizabeth Miller and Elliott Daniels and numerous nieces and nephews. After completing her high school education at Kings County Academy, Leota trained at Payzant Memorial Hospital in Windsor, where she received several awards including the Gold Medal for General Proficiency and became a Registered Nurse. She was a lifelong member of the Registered Nurses Association of Nova Scotia and served as an executive member several times. Leota was co-founder of Daniels Flower Shop in the early 1960s and worked in the Shop for 5 years, until she returned full-time to her much-loved nursing, at the obstetrical unit of Payzant Memorial Hospital. Later she attended Dalhousie University, obtaining certification as a Nursing Arts Instructor, and taught at Payzant Memorial for several years until their Nursing School closed. At the Hants Community Hospital which replaced the Payzant Memorial, Leota served as Inservice Coordinator until her retirement. On her 65th birthday, Leota began learning to play the violin, using one made for her by her husband, Ken. She progressed to play for several years with the local All Seasons Orchestra and with the Avon Strings musical ensemble. Leota was very community oriented. She taught home nursing in her home during the 1950’s while her children were young. She was a long-time member and an Honourary Life Member of the Women’s Institute of Nova Scotia. She was a qualified CPR instructor and also an Instructor Trainer, teaching many CPR instructors throughout Nova Scotia. She received a Certificate of Merit from the NS Heart Foundation and another from the Canadian Cancer Society. Leota was a long-standing member of Windsor United Church, where she was active in the United Church Women for many years, served on the Board of Stewards and also taught Sunday School. In her 70’s, Leota began making hundreds of knitted breast prostheses for breast cancer survivors. Her Comfy Curves have helped women throughout Canada, the USA and many other countries to retain their dignity in comfort. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of unit 200 at Hants Community Hospital for the care given to Leota during her stay. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A private family graveside service will be held in Maplewood Cemetery, Windsor, with Rev. David Hann officiating. Masks must be worn and social distancing must be respected. A public memorial service will be held at a later date when COVID-19 restrictions loosen. Donations in memory of Leota may be made to Palliative Care Fund at Hants Community Hospital, 89 Payzant Dr., Windsor, NS B0N 2T0; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia (902-423-7530); Canadian Cancer Society of Nova Scotia (902-423-6183), or the charity of one's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca