Mary Helen Reashore

Mary Helen (Nellie) Reashore, 90

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mary Helen (Dawe) Reashore, affectionately known as Nellie, to her friends and family.  She passed at 90 years of age on November 17, 2023, with her loving family surrounding her at Harbourstone Enhanced Care. Born in Little Pond on December 11, 1932, she was the daughter of Freeman & Ethel Dawe.

At the age of 16, she met the love of her life, Leslie Reashore. They married in 1954 and settled in Florence, where she operated their convenience store while he drove a taxi. She later worked for many years at Leonard Brothers Ltd. Fish Plant in North Sydney, and eventually ended her career at her sister’s convenience store on Park Road.

A resilient woman lost her husband tragically when he was at the young age of 46, and she was left to raise and care for their 6 children. She is the mother of Judy Reashore, Helen (Peter) Zablaskai, Darlene (Gerard) Russell, Leslie (Kevin) Carey, Lukie (Patsy) Reashore, and Stacey (Brenda) Reashore. She was the loving grandmother to Vanessa (Corey) LeBlanc, Peter (Heather) Zablaskai, Noelle (Ryan) MacLean, Les Zablaskai, Tobias (Shawna) Russell, Amanda Jessome, Janine Russell, Angie (Brean) Pye, Patricia Reashore, Jillian (Stan) Lagatdu, Chantel (Terry Jessome) Reashore, Kevin Luke (Callie) Carey, Tiffany Reashore & Stacia (Colton Burt) Reashore and she was the proud great grandmother to 26 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her brothers, Hector Dawe and Jackie (Sally) Dawe, and her sisters, Muriel Leblanc, Theresa Thurbide, Cavelle MacNeil, sister-in-law Becky Reashore, brother-in-law Bill MacPherson, the MacRae family and many loving nieces and nephews, as well as her special son-in-law, Simon Jessome. She is predeceased by her parents, loving husband, Leslie Reashore; her special friend Harry MacRae; her brother Gerald Dawe; sisters Irene Smith & Gertrude MacPherson; sisters in-law; Kay Garnet and Gerry Higham; brother-in-law Cyril Reashore and her sister-in-law and special friend Rose Dawe.

Nellie was young at heart, a stunningly beautiful woman who was always dressed to the nines and loved jewelry and anything flashy. When visiting, she greeted us with her beautiful smile and infectious laugh and would never let us leave without a full belly and a cup of tea. Through the years, she often attended many dances and card games held throughout the community with her long-time best friend of 61 years, Bobbi Yorke, and her other two special friends, Shirley Anne Snow and Isobel Steffens.

Special thanks to all the staff in Spanish Bay who were so excellent to our mother and us during her stay with them. They treated her well and called her “Queen Nellie,” as her daughters always took turns to make sure her hair and makeup were done daily.

The funeral service is to be held at 11 am Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023, at St Pius Hall in Sydney Mines, officiated by Father Fabian. The burial will follow at St. Stephens Parish Cemetery, Florence, with a luncheon reception to be held immediately after at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 83, Florence. In lieu of flowers. Donations can be made to the Sydney Mines Food Bank and the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia.