Obituary of Joan DeLong

DeLong, Joan Ruth (Chisholm) - 83, Stewiacke/Shubenacadie, passed from this life on January 22, 2014 at Williams Home for Special Care in Hilden, surrounded by the love of family and her wonderful care team. Born in Berwick, she was the daughter of the late Percy William (Todd) Chisholm and Margaret (Hasbrouck) Chisholm. Joan spent much of her young life enjoying life in Berwick, skating at the rink, singing with her twin sister Joyce at local events and on the radio, and representing Berwick as their princess in the 1949 Apple Blossom festival. Mom was proud of her Valley roots and Berwick always stayed close to her heart. After working in Cornwall, Ontario for a few years she returned to the Valley where she met and married our Dad, Ivan DeLong. Together they raised their daughters while living in several Atlantic Provinces and Ontario during Dad's career, first in the RCAF and then with Eastern Provincial Airlines. In 1975 they returned home to Nova Scotia and set down permanent roots. Mom developed a love for all things outdoors, and was Dad's best friend and sidekick as well as his cherished wife. They did many things together, from working in their gardens together to feeding and watching birds, to volunteering with East Hants Ground Search and Rescue. Following our father's passing, Mom rekindled her love of music, singing in the River Country Choir and St. Andrews United Church Choir in Stewiacke, where she lived until recently. Mom's favourite times of peace and serenity were when she was working in her gardens, or enjoying time with her family. Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by her twin sister, Joyce MacAulay; sister Audrey, in infancy; sister Peggy Kinsmen; husband, Ivan DeLong, beloved son-in-law Lowell Huntley. She is survived by daughters Jodi DeLong, Wolfville; Heather DeLong, Scotch Hill; Kelly Marcoux, (Claude) Stewiacke; grandson Ryan Saunders; numerous nephews and nieces. The family wishes to offer heartfelt thanks for compassionate care and attention provided by Dr. David Sheehy and his staff, Dr. Dave Henderson, Dr. Courtney Smith and Lisa Weatherbie of the Community Palliative Care Team from Colchester East Hants Health Centre, who were there with Mom to the very end; the VON team with special thanks to John and Tasha for the superb care provided in Mom's last hours; special friend Shelley Graham who helped us keep mom in her own home as long as possible; and Donna Harvie and the entire care team at William's Home for Special Care in Hilden, who helped us provide comfort, superb care and the opportunity for Mom to pass from this world with dignity and surrounded by people she loved. You are all the most special people, and you set the bar in respect to nursing home care by putting your residents' needs first. Visitation 2-4 pm, Saturday, with a memorial service 2pm, Sunday both in Ettinger Funeral Home, 2812 Highway 2, Shubenacadie, Rev. David LeBlanc officiating, followed by a reception. Private family interment in the spring. Memorial donations to Colchester East Hants Palliative Care. Condolences, words of comfort and remembrances of Joan may be shared with the family at: www.ettingerfuneralhome.com