Frances Lorraine Mattatall

JANUARY 2, 1931 – JANUARY 4, 2024

(Frances) Lorraine (DeYoung) Mattatall

The family of Lorraine Mattatall sadly announce her passing on January 4, 2024, at the age of 93 years.

Born in Dartmouth, Lorraine was a daughter of the late Lewis Kilroy and Florence Elizabeth (White) DeYoung. She is survived by her three children; Gail (Brad Cresswell) Mattatall, Dartmouth; Deborah (Don) Hall, Westchester; David (Elaine) Mattatall, Dartmouth; grandchildren Adrian (Chantelle) Dobson, Derrick (Christina) Dobson, Andrew (Nora) Dobson, Daniel (Gina) Mattatall and great-grandchildren Hannah, Matthew, Oliver, Payson, Breah, Sadie, Hunter and Maelah. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn (Lucien) Levesque; brothers Ralph (Sharon) DeYoung, Tim (Eleanor) DeYoung, Paul (Beverley) DeYoung; brother-in-law Eugene (Barb) Mattatall, sister-in-law Marilyn Langton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Lorraine was pre-deceased by her husband Harold (“HB”) ; sisters Joan Patterson, Geri Blakeney, Shirley Manual, Margaret Williams and her beloved grandson James Mattatall.

Lorraine and Harold raised their family in Dartmouth in the house that Harold built. She cared deeply about her siblings and often had one or more living in her home along with her own children. She combined raising her family with many volunteer and athletic endeavors. She was a champion bowler, golfer and curler, winning many accolades over the years. Always one to step up and contribute, mom was a Past President of the Hartlen Point ladies golf divisions and club champion at the Northumberland Links golf club. She was a volunteer at the Dartmouth General Hospital and a member of the Dartmouth Kinette Club. A lifelong learner, mom completed a St. John Ambulance Home Nursing Course, learned to downhill ski at the age of 50 years, and strapped on a tool belt to help build her beloved cottage in Westchester.

Lorraine spent many years enjoying country life at her cottage. Family and friends benefited from her talents as musician, artist, knitter and avid card player. She had a zest and an appreciation for life that she displayed every single day and encouraged all of us to do the same.

Recently Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer slowed her down considerably. She never gave up, continuing to play cards and do puzzles regularly. She was quick to tell anyone who asked that she was “hanging in there!”

The family greatly appreciates the compassionate care mom received from the Palliative Care Team and the DGH nurses.

Cremation has taken place under the care of A.L. Mattatall’s Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In her memory share a hug and a smile with someone you love.

Helen Margaret Ferguson

DECEMBER 21, 1928 – NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Between these photos was a life well lived.

The family of Helen Margaret Ferguson, sadly announce her passing in Halifax on November 2nd, 2023 at the age of 94 years.

Born in Halifax, Helen was the daughter of the late Frederick and Mae (Slaunwhite) Charlton.

She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Philip Skit Ferguson, their four children; Karla Napier (Stephen), Edinburgh; Steve Ferguson (Gisele) Sackville, NB; Elaine Mattatall (David) Dartmouth; Brenda Vaughan (Alex) Dartmouth; grandchildren Tyler Ferguson, Michael Vaughan, Juliana Napier, Daniel Mattatall, Paul Napier, Parker Vaughan, and great-grandchildren, Hunter, Bria, and Leni. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn Comfort and sister-in-law Jacqueline, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her beloved grandson James Mattatall and her six brothers, Cyril, Ken, Don (Chick), Ervin, Reggie, and Ronnie.

Helen was born and raised in Halifax. She cared deeply about her siblings and shared memories about baking special treats to send overseas to her brother Cyril, and of looking out for her little brother Ronnie. Helen was also a keen student. She particularly excelled in math, scoring 100% on her Grade 9 Report Card thus earning her whole class an ice cream treat. Helen was an athletic young woman who enjoyed paddling, rowing, and especially skating. It was through her love of skating that she chanced upon meeting her life-long partner, Skit, when she singled him out to escort her home one evening. Little did they know, that one evening would turn into a 75 year-long life adventure.

Helen was a lifelong resident of Dartmouth where she and Skit settled and raised their family. She worked hard in her role as homemaker and mother, excelling at everything from cooking and baking, sewing, knitting and other crafts, to regularly re-designing the interior of their home.

Both Helen and Skit became avid bridge players, joining a special community known as The Bridge Club. The incredibly special lifelong friendships developed in The Bridge Club continue to this day.

As the demands of parenting lessened, Helen tapped into her innate athleticism and became an accomplished golfer and curler winning many accolades over the years.

In her later years, Helen took great pleasure in both long blade ice skating and cross-country skiing. She dedicated a significant amount of time to her grandchildren for which we are all grateful. She also was able to satisfy her desire to travel by taking some very memorable trips to China and Russia with her dear friends.

Helen was a generous and giving person. She loved nothing better than helping her children, grandchildren, and her friends. She was also honest to a fault when it came to asking her opinion about anything. The perfect companion to take bathing suit shopping.

While in her seventies and eighties, Helen faced significant health challenges including heart trouble, four joint replacements, macular degeneration, and then, in her nineties, dementia. She worked hard to maintain her independence and insisted on performing meaningful tasks every day.

We would like to express our gratitude to the staff at both Parkland Lewis Hall and St. Vincents Nursing Home for their compassionate care of Helen during the final months of her life.

Cremation has taken place under the care of A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, Dartmouth. At this time no services are planned. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.