Loretta Myrtle (Jenkins) Higdon

Loretta Myrtle Higdon

North Sydney

After 100 years of a life well lived, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Loretta Higdon passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

Born in Sydney Mines, on September 5, 1919, Loretta was the daughter of the late Mark and Priscilla (Anthony) Jenkins.

She later moved to North Sydney with her husband Louis. They built their home on Brook Street where they raised their family and entertained their grandchildren and extended family and friends for many years.

Loretta is survived by her sons Brian (Linda), Robert (Michele), daughter in-law Muriel, and a special nephew Fred Patterson (Eleanor) who she raised and thought of as her own.

Loretta was lovingly known as “Nan” by her grandchildren Shawn, Tanya, Sheldon, Cindy, Kevin, Sarah and Philip. She was a great-grandmother to Brianna, Brett, Madelyn, Lauren, Emily, Charlie and Lottie, who was born on her 100th birthday.

Loretta was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Louis; their son, Andrew; niece, Corrine Paterson as well as her siblings Walter, Mark, Margie, Rosie and Garfield.

Loretta was a social butterfly who had many great friends over the years. She was a member of the North Sydney Seniors and Pensioners Club and a 50 year member of both the L.O.B.A. and True Blues Lodges. She was a faithful member of St. Matthew Wesley United Church, North Sydney.

Before recently moving to the Northside Community Guest Home, Loretta spent the last several years living at My Cape Breton Home in North Sydney where she enjoyed her time and made many friends with both residents and staff. She made the best of whatever came her way, she was remarkably adaptable and loved to have a laugh. One of her famous quotes which is used commonly in our family is “what odds!”

We are grateful to the staff at both My Cape Breton Home and the Northside Community Guest Home for the wonderful care provided. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the staff on 3A at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital as well as those working in the Palliative Care Unit for their kindness and compassion during Loretta’s last days.

Visitation for Loretta will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, February 9th, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. Matthew Wesley United Church with Rev. Stephen Mills officiating. Burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery at a later date.  Memorial donations in Loretta ’s memory may be made to St. Matthew Wesley United Church.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com

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