Obituary of Elsie Cecelia Blackwood
Our dear beautiful precious mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, friend, wife of the late Edward Colton Blackwood (Port Nelson, Bonavista Bay, NL), daughter of the late Willis Taylor Pike (Northern Island, Bonavista Bay, NL) and Hyacinth Mollie Samson Pike (Flat Island, Bonavista Bay, NL), passed peacefully away January 1st, 2022 at 2:22 am, with her daughter Gloria by her side. We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to say goodbye to this incredible amazing lady but blessed to have had her in our lives. Elsie was born in Port Union, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland on March 17, 1926. Elsie grew up by the sea and went to school at Holy Martyr's Anglican School. One of Elsie's favourite activities as a child was hopping the ice pans (copying pans) in the Harbour, very adventurous. She played the organ in Church of England Church, taught Sunday school and loved to sing, and dance. After graduating from high school she started working at the Fisherman's Union Trading Company in Port Union, a career in the accounting department, thus looking after the ships that came into port and served 40 communities around the coast of Newfoundland. As well, with her father a Sea Captain, Elsie helped her mother at home with their family. Later she met the love of her life, Edward, a marine diesel engineer on his father’s ship. Elsie moved to St John’s, married Edward and they raised three children, Gloria, Paulette and Larry, a dedicated wife and devoted loving mother. Her home was opened to help out others, including accommodations for medical students that she treated like family. Elsie loved her family pets, her birds all called Tweetie including an Arctic Redpole and her beautiful Collie, Shannon, she had for 15 years. Abby the English Bull dog was a loyal friend who visited her often at the Nursing home right up until she passed.
Elsie was a loving, kind, generous, wise, compassionate woman, she had a terrific sense of humour, loved fashion, and was a sharp dresser. Elsie was a wonderful traveler. Elsie and Edward enjoyed driving their Pontiac car (the Green Machine) across Canada, and to the USA. New Brunswick, Ontario and Nashville, Tenn., were their favourite destinations to see their family and help out with their beloved grandchildren. They did a lot of traveling in their life time. Flying and sailing to Caribbean Islands was a highlight in their travels, especially the island of Barbados.
Elsie was a very spiritual lady. She had great faith in the Lord and prayer and taught her family to pray (no playing street hockey on Sunday). She taught us to work hard, get our education, and share what we have, love what you do, be kind, respectful to others, do your best and keep your beautiful smile!
Elsie, after the passing away of her dear beloved Edward, embraced her life at the Dr. Snow Centre apartments while continuing to volunteer at the Dr. Snow Centre. Soon after she joined the residents at the Dr. Snow Centre nursing home, she continued to help out. Elsie looked forward to the activities, including the live musical entertainment (she loved the local NB musicians and Eddie Eastman, her son-in-law, and granddaughter Sherida’s performances when they came to visit), bingo, church services, bible studies, walks in the beautiful gardens, outings in the Snow bus, attending community events, the Theater, especially to see the Carleton Show Band, eating out in restaurants, and making wonderful friends with the staff, volunteers and residents whom she adored .
Elsie is survived by her daughter Gloria Baird (Dr. Hugh J. Baird son-in-law ) Hampton, daughter Paulette Rowsell (Eddie) Nashville, Tenn., son Edward Larry Blackwood, Ketchikan, Alaska, her beloved grandchildren, Hugh Colton Baird, Edward Baird, Hampton, Grayson Rowsell (Katie) Nashville, Tenn., Sherida Foster (Zachary) Nashville, Tenn., Jordyn Blackwood, Emily Blackwood Nashville, Tenn., cherished Great Grandchildren, Colton Foster and Core Lee Foster Nashville, Tenn., Irie Palmer (mother Morgan Palmer) Saint John, NB., Olivia Rowsell and Maxwell Rowsell Nashville, Tenn., adopted granddaughter Luna Khalsa Mena, Mexico, Sister-in-law Shirley Gates (George) Vancouver Island, BC, Brother-in-law Cecil Blackwood (Mary Lou) St. John’s Newfoundland, brother-in-law Ray Dunn Gander, Newfoundland, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Special friends: Margrit Banning-Lauper, Pam MacKenize, Beverley Franklin, Josephine Scribner, Barb Pitt, Marie Shiretha Mena, Roland D’Abadie, Fred and Maryann White, Carl and Doreen Hamlyn, Pam Butler (Al), Lesa Moss Rowsell, (the late Theresa Killen), Penny Sleep, Megan Martin, Sylvia Smith, Terry O'Neill, (the late Lucille Norris), (the late Guen and Max Rowsell), young Amina Masode and all the dedicated caregivers.
Elsie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Edward Colton Blackwood, sister Nita Butler and sister Linda Dunn, and all of her family and friends who have gone on before her.
The family wish to express their deepest gratitude to Elsie's caring compassionate, loving, faithful caregivers from every department at the Dr. V. A. Snow Centre Nursing Home and Elsie's doctors while living in Hampton, the late Dr. John Quinn, Dr. Edward Abraham, Dr. Douglas Hall, Dr. Edward Phillips, Dr. Anne Marie Hunt, and Dr. James Collings. Thank you to all the friends that shared in Elsie’s life and added to her enjoyment of socializing and good times along the way. Elsie almost 97 years young did not pass away on New Year’s Eve because she always loved to celebrate. Elsie loved you all!
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring!
Arrangements are under the care of Reid’s Funeral Home ,1063 Main Street, Hampton, NB E5N6E9, 506 832- 5541. Remembrances can be made to the Dr. V.A. Snow Centre Foundation, 54 DeMille Court, Hampton NB, E5N5S7, or the charity of the donor’s choice, and online condolences may be placed at www.reidsfh.com
