Obituary of Elsie Arthur

ARTHUR, Elsie Mary:  Halifax, NS, 86 years young, passed away in Palliative Care at the VG Hospital, on September 6, 2016 with her loving family by her side, after a year-long battle with cancer and COPD.  Born in Portland, Dorset, England, on March 19, 1930, she was the youngest daughter of the late Beatrice and Ernest Carline.    Her first job was as a Tracer (aka draftsperson) at the Dockyard near her home.  There she met Bob, a young naval officer who was on assignment from Canada, and he swept her off her feet.  They were married 3 months later and then sailed to Canada on the Empress of France in 1951 and settled in Ottawa.  Her family began there and continued to grow.  Relocating every 3 years, Elsie followed Bob’s postings to Ottawa, several in Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, and then back to Herring Cove where they retired in 1969.  They spent a lot of time on Indian Lake, just outside Mahone Bay, where they had a second home for over 30 years.  Elsie had a couple of part time jobs to get her out of the house after the kids grew up, including Mills Brothers, Murray’s and Royal Bank.   She is survived by her eldest sister, Betty (95 years) and will be deeply missed by her five children, Michael (Janet), Patricia (Peter Dockrill), Joanne (Michael Turner), Timothy (Leslie), and Andrew (Debbie); ten grandchildren, Jillian, Lauren and Nicholas,  Jonathan, Kathryn and Jacklyn, Sarah and Jessica, and Matthew and Brett, four great-grandchildren, Camryn, Carlie, Madison and  Kennedy, a new great-great- grandson, Haiden, as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family in England.  She was predeceased by her husband and best friend, Bob, after 63 years of marriage, her parents, brothers, Norman and Walter, and sisters, Nan and Rosemary.    Special thanks to her Palliative Care Team, Cindy Bell, Glenna, Drs. Dempster and MacIntyre, Staff and nurses of 7A VGH, the VON, and Sheila Galey of Flexicare.  Your care and attention was exceptional.   Cremation has taken place under the care of J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd., 149 Herring Cove Road, Halifax, NS (902.477.5601), where a memorial service and reception will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 11 AM in the chapel.  Burial will take place at sea in Spring.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.  Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting www.walkerfh.com.