Obituary of Maura Parks

PARKS, Maura (Fraser) September 1, 1925 — March 15, 2016 Port Williams, Nova Scotia It is with sadness that we announce our beloved Mother has passed away gently and quietly at home, surrounded by family. Maura was born in Halifax to James Lloyd and Winifred Fraser. Maura was predeceased by her parents and her loving sister Carol Armstrong in 2000. During her childhood she lived in Hamilton, Toronto, and in 1940 the family returned to Nova Scotia where she resided in Wolfville. Maura attended Acadia University and became a secretary, a profession she excelled at all her life. She married Barney Burton (Bud) Bishop (deceased 1968) in 1945, and welcomed three daughters, Wendy Morgan (deceased 1988), Anne (Bill Lochead) and Jane Ely (partner Roddey Cohn). Maura worked as a legal secretary from 1948 to 1953 in Wolfville and later for her father at Fraser's Supplies in Berwick. In 1962, as a single parent, took a brave step and packed up her girls and headed for Ontario. She enjoyed a successful working career as an Executive Administrative assistant to the President of Schindler Elevator in Pickering Ontario. Upon her retirement in 1989, she remained on their Board of Directors for several years. Retirement saw her living in Niagara-on-the-Lake with her second husband Ernst Thordahl (deceased 1995). She enjoyed the role of grandmother to Anne's three children — Tara, Jamie and Catherine, and was thrilled to know her 4 great-grandsons, Aidan, Tristan, Owen, and Alex. She loved being "Auntie" to Paul, Lesley and Peter Armstrong and their children. Their visits with her meant so much. She was active in her retirement with her Tai Chi group in Niagara-on-the-Lake — making lifelong friends with this wonderful supportive group. She was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. A very special friend, Neil Rumble, was always there to lend a hand and she was forever grateful for having him in her life. In 1997, she reunited with a childhood friend, Blanchard (Bud) Parks (Kentville, deceased 2001) and they married. Sadly, they did not have many years together, but those brief years were very happy ones. In 2015, Maura returned to Nova Scotia to reside with her daughter Anne and son-in-law Bill Lochead in Port Williams. Granddaughter Tara and her 3 great-grandsons were just down the road. She was a mighty force in all our lives — she was the wind beneath our wings! Never judgmental, always willing to listen, and supportive beyond belief in all that her family chose to do. Declining health in December 2015 made us realize we did not have a lot of time left with Mum. We would like to thank the following for their unmeasurable help the past two weeks in assisting us to keep her at home and in comfort: VON in New Minas, Palliative Care in Wolfville. As per Mum's request, cremation has taken place and a family service will be held in June. Arrangements entrusted to Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home, Colbrook, NS (902-679-2822). Donations in Maura's memory can be made to the following: St. Catharines, Ontario Cancer Society for their help in driving her for her treatments, to Hospice Niagara in St. Catharines, VON in Nova Scotia and Palliative Care in Wolfville. "DEATH LEAVES A HEARTACHE NO ONE CAN HEAL, LOVE LEAVES A MEMORY NO ONE CAN STEAL"