Obituary of Babe Kellough

KELLOUGH, Kathleen Marie, better known as “Babe” - age 91, of Milford. In the wee hours of January 25, 2024 Babe Kellough drew her final breath tucked away in her bed at home surrounded by her fur family. Born in MacPhee’s Corner, she was the only daughter of the late Albert and Cleta (Lively) MacPhee.

Mom was a kind and compassionate person. So proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love for them shone through like a ray of sunshine beaming through on a cloudy day. Food was her love language. She was an old school cook who might have had the recipe book open, but I don’t think she ever looked at it.  Counter tops lined with bread and Tupperware containers filled to the brim with sweet treats. And don’t forget the seasonal favourite - fruitcake! A big old farmhouse kitchen was the entertainment centre. Visitors would be seated around the table, and I think they would have been hard pressed to get out the door without having a cup of Red Rose along with a slice of homemade pie, cookie or doughnut. If that table could have talked it would tell you yummy times were had by all and how many games of crib dad had won.  If mom was going “out” for a sweet treat - ice cream was her favourite and DQ was her stop of choice. Or a puppachino from Starbucks. The staff knew it was her when we would pull up to the speaker and order 2 pup cups 1 spoon. 

Collecting, grading and delivering eggs, along with raising a family, chasing a beef cow that had escaped to see if the grass was really greener on the other side. Babe never stopped. Add to that cleaning and ironing no iron sheets -her days were full. When the cows and chickens were gone, she took time to enjoy some fun. Mom had a great sense of humour, broad smile and loved spending time with others. For years she would canvass her old neighbourhood in Shubenacadie. It was as much about the visit as it was about the collection. In 2014 she was recognized for her years of service by the Canadian Red Cross. She also gave bowling a go. Again it may have been about the socializing as it was about the bowling  As she left her 70’s, Alzheimers came a calling. To help keep busy and sociable we signed her up for adult day programs with both VON and Northwood.  She might hemm and ha about going but when we got to the door and a staff member was coming to greet her, that smile appeared spreading from ear to ear.  

A long time member of the United Church in Shubenacadie she cooked roasts for the fund raising dinners. Her faith was very important to her, saying her prayers every night before bed until the later stages of Alzheimer’s took that part of her memory away. But, the disease never took away her love of music. She loved dancing to fiddle music, clapping hands, tapping feet and swaying along with the rhythm. Even the mechanical Santa that lived in the front window at Christmas made a great dancing partner. Over the last few months she enjoyed Apple Music on the tv. You would see her lips moving as she sang along, even if you didn’t hear a voice. 

She is survived by daughters, Betty (Brian) MacPhee, Shubenacadie; Millie (Randy Marion) Cottrell, Wallaceburg, ON; Catherine Kellough, Milford; son, David (Joan), London, ON; grandchildren, Jo-Leigh MacPhee, Kentville; Mark (Crystal) MacPhee, Shubenacadie; Matthew Cottrell, Goodrich, ON; Douglas Cottrell, Ottawa, ON; great-grandchildren, Joshua and Brooklyn; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, brothers, Paul and Alden

Visitation will be 1-4pm Sunday, January 28, with funeral service on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 2pm, Rev. Natalie Buchanan-Rutherford officiating; both in Ettinger's Funeral Home, 2812 Highway 2, Shubenacadie.  A livestream of the service will be available at 1:55pm Atlantic time, by clicking on "View Service Here" next to her obituary or using this link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=47169ea9-d42d-41aa-970f-0751448d4a0e

Spring burial will take place in Brookside Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Babe’s memory can be to a charity of your choosing.

Her family would like to thank the drivers at Community Rider, staff of both the VON and Northwood Adult Day programs along with servers at Cup of Soul, Bitar’s and the Esquire restaurants. The staff taking time out of the day to stop her table and say hello. And sure enough out would come that big ol’ smile.  Thanks Natalie Retfalvi for stepping in to be her bowling/lunch buddy and hairdresser of almost 20 years, Shirley MacTavish who made sure mom had her weekly doo even when her mobility was disappearing. And last and by no means least, Catherine would like to recognize 3 special ladies, mom’s long term care givers - Kate MacKeigan, Sue Daborn and Madi Dixon. She might not have always known your names, but I know she felt your love. Your support contributed to making it possible for her to remain in her own home until her last breath.

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Babe may be shared with the family at: www.ettingerfuneralhome.com