Obituary of Liam Frederick Scott Dee

Age 26, of Aylesford, passed away peacefully and bravely on Thursday, November 10, 2022 in Valley Hospice, Kentville, surrounded by family, according to his wishes. After spending nine months exhausting all treatment options for his rare cancer, Liam chose to live his last days bathed in love and comfort with his devoted husband, parents, sister, close friends and relatives by his side. Born in Kentville on June 1, 1996, he was the son of James “Gordon” and Cindy (Gates) Dee. 

Liam was a go-getter who effortlessly achieved anything he put his mind to including his hobbies and education. He had a robust and varied life resume that included eel fishing, sewing, gardening, furniture refinishing, hunting, farming, volunteering, and traveling (even becoming a Diamond Shellback when he crossed the equator on Mercy Ships in 2017). Liam attended the Maritime College of Forest Technology following his graduation from West Kings District High School in 2014. Upon graduation in 2016, he decided a career in health care was his calling, so he completed the Continuing Care Assistant program at NSCC Middleton Campus in 2017. He then went on to attend St. FX in 2018, graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in December of 2021. He began working for VON New Minas that same month but his career was cut short in March, following the unexpected diagnosis of a rare liposarcoma. Following two pandemic cancellations, Liam joyfully married the love of his life, best friend and partner in thrifting, Jacob MacDonald in March of 2022. Liam was passionate about social justice issues, especially concerning the LGBTQ community, and participated in St. FX Pride and marched in his first Halifax Pride Parade in 2018. Before his passing, Liam acknowledged that though his life was very short, he felt he had achieved all of his life goals and felt at peace. Liam had such a profound impact on the lives of the people around him that he will live on forever in spirit among us.

Besides his parents, Gordon “Gord” Dee and Cindy Gates-Dee, he is survived by his devoted husband, Jacob MacDonald; loving sister, Lauren Dee (Scott Lloyd); brother at heart, Michael Aalders; sister at heart, Jessica Toole (Brett Curtis); grandmothers, Glenna Gates and Patricia Dee; uncles, Shawn (Carrie) Gates and Rik (Bridget) Gates; aunt, Shannen (Shannon) Fahie; cousins, Kyle, Jack, Brooke, Madeline, Victoria and Severyn; niece and nephew at heart, Christian and Willow.

Liam was predeceased by his grandfathers, Richard Gates and James Gordon Dee Sr.

We would like to acknowledge the overwhelming community support in the form of fundraisers, visits and thoughtful gifts, prayers, cards and meals that Liam received from his extended family, friends, co-workers, classmates and even acquaintances throughout his journey. We also want to thank his Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Ednie, his GP, Dr. MacDonald, the Thoracic Unit 6A Nurses at the VG, the Valley Palliative Care Team, VON, the amazing Nurses and Staff at Valley Hospice in Kentville and Rev. Sarah Scott, for their professional loving care and kindness. 

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A funeral service celebrating Liam’s life will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 1:00 p.m., in DeMont Family Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Sarah Scott officiating (masks are encouraged). Guests are welcome to meet with the family for a reception in the funeral home’s Elmcroft Reception Centre following the service. Donations in memory of Liam may be made to Valley Hospice, 150-3 Exhibition St., Kentville, NS B4N 5E3; Mercy Ships of Canada Society, 5-3318 Oak St., Victoria, BC V8X 1R1; VON Annapolis Valley Branch, 9319 Commercial St., New Minas, NS B4N 3G2; Sole Hope, PO Box 232, St. James, Missouri, USA 65559; Canadian Cancer Society, 5826 South St., Halifax, NS B3H 1S6 or any charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca