Pear Helenl Theriault

THERIAULT, Pearl Helen Aug. 31, 1920-Oct. 10, 2019 It is with deep sadness, yet joy for a long life well lived, we must announce the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Pearl Helen Theriault, of Yarmouth, formerly of Digby, NS. Born in Canning, King's County, NS, she was the daughter of Harold and Alice (Ells) North. After graduating from Kings County Academy, Kentville, NS, she accepted a position with Acadian Lines, a bus company, in Halifax where she met and fell in love with our father, Joseph (Joe) Theriault, of Digby. They married in June of 1945 and soon settled in Brighton, Digby County where they raised five children over the next 24 years. Mum was a loving, caring, selfless person, completely devoted to her children, family, and friends. After discovering her third child had cerebral palsy and would require total care, mum dedicated her life to that care as well as the rearing of her other children. There were many nights over the next several years when mum would hold our sister in her arms and rock her for several hours to keep her comfortable and peaceful so the rest of the family could be assured of some sleep. For many years, mum was seldom able to leave our home, even to shop or visit the doctor, such was the care required by our sister. Added to caring for her children, mum also cared for her mother-in-law for several years. Mum worked hard, bottling and preserving the products of our extensive garden, cooking for us plus whatever extended family or friends often dropped by, and performing the bookkeeping and treasurer work for our father's logging company. She did all these things without complaint and with no expectations of reward or even thanks, a true mother and wife of her time. When our father suffered a stroke and was unable to work in 1969, they were forced to sell the farm in Brighton and move to the town of Digby where mum cared for dad over the next two years of his life. After his passing, mum continued to look after the two children remaining at home, maintain the house, and pay off the mortgage. Eventually, at the age of 80, mum gave up her beloved home and moved to Yarmouth to live with her elder daughter and her husband where she remained for several years until falling and breaking her leg. Her final home was The Meadows, where the loving and careful care she received meant she was able to enjoy her final years. As children, we were truly blessed to have such a mother. She loved music, playing the piano, and singing, and, in her early years, performing; this joy she passed to her children, as we all have engaged in the arts is some form. Mum made us caring, compassionate people. Her devotion to our sister, insisting she be a vital part of our every-day lives, her complete acceptance and welcoming of all our friends and partners over the years, her complete selflessness, her love for people, all these things became part of her children. Mum made Christmas truly magical, and so we love it still; she instilled suspense and drama into Halloween, working with us on our costumes and packing individual paper bags of homemade treats for all visiting goblins; she took us to Sunday School and church until our sister's care required her to remain at home. Mum was as loved as a mother can be. Mum leaves behind her daughter, Helen, North Queens Nursing Home, Caledonia, NS; sons, Hal of Digby and David of Yarmouth; grandson, Christopher and his wife Kristen; great-grandchildren, Sephrena and Barrett, Toronto; beloved nieces, Shirleen (Jim) Gear, Edmonton, Alberta and Glenda (Stephen) Maccabe, Barrington, NS; and sister-in-law, Nance North, The Meadows, Yarmouth . Mum was predeceased by her husband, Joe; daughter, Sandra (survived by her husband Don) Watkins; son, Philip (survived by his wife Camilla Meisner); step-daughter, Jean and her husband Bill Griffiths; parents; sister, Ruby and her husband Ray Magarvey; brothers, Murray and wife Margaret; and Glendon; sister-in-law, Marjorie and her husband Edison Specht; and several nieces and nephews. No matter what challenges she faced, no matter what hardships, Mum kept a positive spirit. She protected her children and loved ones from harshness and pain, and whatever pain and disappointment she may have faced, she endured on the inside, never complaining, never visiting her difficulties on others. She loved life and sharing it with all. Mum remains a true inspiration in all those who she leaves behind. We celebrate her great spirit and her wonderful selfless love. By Mum's request, there will be no open service; the family will hold its remembrance and celebration of her life at the interment of her ashes. Those wishing to remember and honour her, please do so by visiting a kindness on another; Mum would love that. Share a memory or leave a condolence at www.jaynesfuneralhome.com