Emma Winter Ophelia (Miller) Buchanan - 85, Truro, passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Debert Court Shannex after a three week stay. Prior to that she spent three and a half months at the Palliative Care Unit of Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Mom was born in Granville Ferry, Annapolis County to the late Stephen Bamford "Bam" Troop Miller and Doris May (Gregory) Miller and was predeceased by her husband and our father, Donald H. Buchanan.
Mom first came to the Truro/Bible Hill area after training as a stenographer/receptionist at Mack Business College in Kentville to begin her working career at Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Between getting married and starting her family with Dad, whom she met at a Dickie’s Barn dance, she had a few different jobs in between having their babies! Mom worked at various businesses including Goodspeeds, Lewis Hat Factory, Canada Manpower, NSAC, Trans Canada Credit, W. N. Horner & Associates and Fairlane Realty.
As the 11th of 12 children born, Mom was frequently surrounded by her siblings, nieces and nephews as she grew up on their small family farm. In the winter, Mom enjoyed skating on their backyard rink and playing basketball, baseball and swimming in the summer. Mom was a bit of a tomboy as she would go fishing and hunting with her brothers. As she was part of the three youngest siblings, Mary, Patsy and Mom were affectionately called 'The Three Little Sisters' and would sing the song of the same name together as youngsters and sometimes at family reunions if coaxed enough to do so. She had a great sense of humor but if asked a question often would not hesitate to give a direct answer!
Mom was also a member of First United Church UCW Unit A. She spent many hours knitting baby blankets, sweaters for her children and grandchildren, was an avid reader of mystery books, enjoyed curling and playing cards with her girlfriends. Mom did some traveling, was always eager to go to dances with Dad and with close friends and also tackled Sudoku and crosswords and enjoyed spending time with her family plus visiting family on both sides of the family tree.
She is survived by her five children, Kim (Bill) Fielding, Truro; Carol Buchanan, Vancouver, British Columbia; Tom (Judy) Buchanan, Brookside, Colchester County; Patricia (Trish) Buchanan (Terry McCarthy), Toronto; David (Ginny) Buchanan, Masstown; ten grandchildren, Bryan (Julie) Buchanan, Linacy, Pictou County; Mariah (Charlie) Edwards, Valley, Colchester County; Penelope Sloan, Vancouver, British Columbia; Madeline Sloan, Squamish, British Columbia; Kyle Buchanan (Kate Nicholl), Stewiacke; Holly Buchanan (Kyle MacKenzie), Valley, Colchester County; Mercedes McLeod, Niagara Falls; Chanelle McLeod, Toronto; Devin McCarthy, Lake Echo; Caley McCarthy, Milverton, Ontario; Cody Rushton, Pictou Landing; Rylee Rushton, Masstown; four great grandchildren: Danica Buchanan, Adriana Buchanan, Camryn Buchanan, Linacy, Pictou County; Leni Edwards, Valley, Colchester County; two sisters, Mary Thompson, Greenwood; Patricia (Patsy) Mackintosh, Granville Ferry; two sisters-in-law, Ida Miller, Kings Head; Alvina Miller, Lower Sackville; many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family too numerous to list.
Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her five brothers, Stephen, Warren (Bud), John (Jack), Granville Ferry; George, Moncton; Edwin, Ashmore; four sisters, Dorothy Cleveland/Miller, Kingston; Harriett Cosman, Anita Hills, Moncton; Gladys Chipman, Tupperville.
We would like to thank the VON, Doctors and Nurses on Palliative Care Unit at Colchester East Hants Health Centre and Debert Court Shannex that took such great care of Mom during her final journey. If desired, donations in Mom’s memory to Canadian Cancer Society, First United Church or a charity of your choice are welcomed.
Private family graveside service and interment will be held Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Robie Street Cemetery, 125 Robie Street, Truro.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Emma’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com