Obituary of Kay Coone

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mildred Kathleen (Kay) (Forsythe) Coone announce her peaceful passing at Halifax Infirmary, Halifax, NS on April 16, 2023. Until this date, Kay, who was 88 years old, fiercely lived independently in her own home in Sussex, NB and enjoyed life to the fullest, engaging in an active social life with family, friends and neighbours. She was dearly loved by many!

Kay was born in Waterford, the seventh child of the late Crandall and Mildred (Morrow) Forsythe. This community was always near and dear to her heart, a picture perfect setting that filled her with joy. It was the site of many precious memories from across the decades of her life.

After completing the schooling available in the one-room Waterford School, Kay attended and graduated from high school in Sussex, the same school from which her mother had graduated. It meant that at age 14, Kay was living away from home. She was grateful to her brother, Thomas, and his wife, Mary, for allowing her to board with them, thereby enabling her to pursue her education.

 As a young woman, Kay worked at the Royal Bank of Canada, a career she would resume when her children were older. As a Personal Banker, Kay was passionate about helping people fulfil their dreams. She loved this work; meeting people, hearing their stories, and encouraging financial responsibility. All of these things meant that she was one of those fortunate people who took pleasure in her work every day. A testament to the joy she found with her colleagues, even 28 years post retirement, was how much she looked forward to their reunion lunches.

Known for her generosity, Kay was a woman of strong faith. She was a lifelong member of the Anglican Church. She contributed to this community by serving on the Altar Guild at Trinity until she was 80 and was, at 88, still a member of the Anglican Church Women. She enjoyed the conversations and different perspectives she heard at Bible Study. Kay was welcoming of everyone regardless of their faith or identity and, at her core, she was a woman who valued community, kindness and respect.

Kay danced through life with her husband, Ken, and to watch them waltz was to watch elegance in motion. They had 65 years of a wonderful marriage. They pursued many activities together over the years including snowmobiling, cross country skiing and clogging. Golfing provided them lots of time outdoors with friends during their post retirement life. Their great sense of adventure led to enjoyable summers at their trailer at TNT Campground and many travels within and beyond Canada. Whether it was a long Sunday drive on the backroads of NB, a bus tour in Europe, or a cruise to Alaska, Kay was eager to see new views and experience new things.

Kay pursued many passions. The greatest of these may have been her love of playing bridge. It was both the competition of the game and the camaraderie of the “ladies”. Indeed, appointments and other activities were scheduled around bridge afternoons and evenings.

Family was everything to Kay and Kay was everything to us! Her devotion to and love for us was profound. She took great delight in the antics of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, absolutely adoring them. She loved being sent pictures and videos of these little children. As family members aged into teenagers and young adults, she was only ever a phone call away for support and advice. Her superpower was giving unconditional love and an ear to listen. She was once told by a wee great grandchild “you make me feel loved”. She was our guiding star and “home” was wherever she was.

Kay is survived by her son, Lawrence (Leslie) Coone of Sussex, NB and her daughter, Janice (Patrick) Murray of Cole Harbour, NS. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jennifer Bernard (Trevor), Andrea Jeffrey (Tim), William Coone (Lyndsay), Emily Drake (Michael) and Patrick Murray (Emma), step-grandson Matthew Abell (Christine); her great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Kyle, Alyssa, Jaxen, Olivia, Eli, Charlotte, Gus, Etta and Cora. She also leaves to mourn, her dear sister, Joyce Fanjoy, her sister-in law Dorothy Howell, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Kay is predeceased by her husband, Ken. As a young mother she lost an infant son, Stephen, when he was four days old. Living in Gaspé, Québec and being distant from family was difficult. Although their baby boy’s gravesite was far away, in spirit, he was always in their hearts. Kay was also predeceased by siblings Thomas (Mary), Phyllis (Les, Elmer, Ernie) Noreen, Douglas (Doris), Lawrence, and Allison (Beulah), brothers-in-law Carl Fanjoy and Edward Coone and sister-in-law Leona Aiton.

The family are grateful to the many friends who have reached out to share their touching stories and to her wonderful neighbours who enabled her to feel safe living on her own.  A special thank you is extended to the staff of Unit 7.4, Halifax Infirmary, for their compassion and care during the final chapter of Kay’s journey through life.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Dr., Sussex, from where visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 19^th, 2023, from 6:00-8:00pm. A Celebration of Kay’s life will be held from Trinity Anglican Church on Thursday, April 20^th, 2023, at 11:00am with reception to follow. The burial will take place at a later date.

To honour Kay, the family requests that you do something today to show a child that they are loved. Donations may be made to Trinity Anglican Church, The Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences to the family and donations may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com