Louise Girard (Devine) — Yarmouth

GIRARD (DEVINE), Louise Mary It is with hearts aching that Louise’s family announces her sudden but peaceful passing at home, on April 19, 2018, at age 87. Born in Yarmouth on Valentine’s Day, 1931, Louise was the daughter and eldest child of Hugh Edward Devine and Mary Amelia Devine (Moulaison). Born into a family poor in riches and material possessions, but wealthy in love, Louise grew up in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Louise was a loving daughter. She adored her father and was devoted to her mother. She loved her brother Richard “Bucky” and her sister Loretta, and remained close to them throughout her life. As a girl and young woman, Louise found great happiness in her family life and in the simple joys that cost nothing – fresh vegetables from the little garden behind the house, lobster freed from the depths of Yarmouth Harbour in the darkness of night with a poaching hoop, tanning in the backyard with the help of iodine and baby oil in summer, skating on Broad Brook in winter, huge family get-togethers with all the Devine's and Moulaison's. She particularly liked her first real job, working as an impeccably-uniformed waitress in the elegant dining room of Yarmouth’s original Grand Hotel. It was to these happy memories that Louise so often returned in her reminiscing, especially in her final years. After leaving Yarmouth, and in the process of beginning and raising her own family, Louise lived in many places – Kentville, Nova Scotia; Saint George, New Brunswick; Hemer, Germany; Petawawa, Ontario; and Halifax, Nova Scotia – before returning to live in Yarmouth again in 1998. She worked at various jobs as the years went by, considering her work in Halifax as a certified nursing assistant to be the most rewarding. Her true vocation, however, and that to which she was dedicated beyond all measure was to be a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Rightly or wrongly, never did she put her needs or wishes beyond those of her children, and their children, and their children. Her selfless devotion and the depth of her love were awe-inspiring and often defied understanding. She gave and gave, and expected nothing in return. She went without many things herself, and she sacrificed endlessly for no other reward than to try to help her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren find happiness. Few human beings personify the ideal of unconditional love more than did Louise. As strong-willed as she was tender-hearted and beautiful, she was determined to live to be 100. Sadly, her body could not match her spirit. She loved the colour red and pretty things of any colour. She loved to smoke and to eat sweets of all kinds. She could not keep a plant alive. She loved Turner Classic Movies. Thus, the perfect evening of the last few years was one spent smoking, eating chocolates, and watching old movies. Louise is survived in her immediate family by son, Hubert Devine (Heather); daughter, Sheila Surette (Mitchell); brother, Richard “Bucky” Devine (Eva); grandchildren, Nicole, Lauren, Matthew, Emma, and William; and great-grandchildren, Shaunessy, Nolan, Madden, and Lincoln. Louise was predeceased by her parents, by her sister Loretta, and by her husband of 46 years, Joseph Denis Girard. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, Yarmouth. In keeping with Louise’s wishes, her body has been cremated, and there was a funeral mass held for Louise at Saint Ambrose Cathedral, Yarmouth on May 2, 2018 at 10 a.m., Father Henry Smolenaars officiated. Inurnment followed in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery. A reception followed in the St Ambrose Jubilee Room. On-line condolences may be sent to: [email protected] or you may sign the guestbook on-line at: www.sweenysfuneralhome.net