Obituary of Audrey Melanson

MELANSON, Mary ‘Audrey’ Pictou It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Audrey (Hemphill) Melanson, announce her passing on May 19th, 2024 at the age of 88. Audrey was a long-time resident of the Oddfellows Home in Pictou, Nova Scotia where she was provided much love, care and compassion by the staff who treated her like family. Audrey was the baby girl of 12 children who were born to Milton Hemphill and Martha (Gotell) Hemphill in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island. She is survived by two sisters, Jean MacDonald and Joyce Tucker. Mom was greatly loved by her four children and their spouses including, Michael Melanson (Ellie), Marathon ON; Ron Melanson (Sandra), New Glasgow, NS; Jacqueline Melanson O'Brien (Kevin), Dartmouth, NS and Loretta Melanson, Dartmouth, NS. Audrey’s children cherish her influence and the guidance she provided to her eight grandchildren. Her no-nonsense approach coupled with her quick wit and quirky sense of humour was instrumental in raising Nicole, Stephanie, Madeleine, Amanda, Emilie, Alison, Charles and Ben. Each of you know that she "loved you more". If she had gotten to know her great-grandchildren she would have shared her boundless love - but would never have changed a diaper (a quirk of hers). Mom had an interesting contrast of character traits. She was very easy going but had a backbone of steel if she dug her heels in. She would have teenage "chats" with our friends at the kitchen table but kept her top button fastened on her blouse (the nuns influence for sure). Mom was so generous and kind to everyone but definitely did not suffer fools. She would give people the benefit of the doubt far longer than most but when the time came, had the strength to confront the hard things. Mom was not competitive and no one wanted her on their team during family sports/games. However, her epic card games with her sister Jean turned her into a card shark with a foul mouth and would get so heated she would swear she was never going to play again (only to return the very next night for another round of what can best be described as the most loving sibling rivalry imaginable). Mom loved getting involved and staying busy. She raised her kids and half the neighbourhood. She helped run a family owned service station and dog kennel. In her early 50s, Mom began working in the school system, first as a special needs care attendant and, after embellishing her education, trained and worked as a library technician until retirement. Nanny Audrey was wonderful company on every adventure she could involve herself in with her children and grandchildren. She could be efficiently packed in roughly the same amount of time it took for her to whip up a four course meal in a microwave. She was appreciative of everywhere and everything she saw and experienced - from trips to Europe to long road trips to Savannah, Georgia to Hawaii and even Fort Nelson and Marathon. When Nan could no longer accompany us she was truly missed like she is today and forever. Mom suffered from Alzheimer's in her later years but her personality remained unchanged. Her big blue eyes still shone with love. She will be greatly missed. Cremation has taken place, and a family burial will be held at a future date at Stella Maris Cemetery in Pictou, NS. "Love you more"