Mary Gwen Bear of Fredericton, formerly of Tobique First Nation, passed away unexpectedly at her home on January 24, 2012. Born in Tobique First Nation, NB, on May 23, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Yvonne (Saulis) Bear. Mary leaves behind her daughters Amanda Howlett (Peter) of Fredericton, Dianne Orechia of Fredericton; her son Larry Orechia (Julie) of Fredericton; sister Paula Pirie (Danny) of Tobique First Nation; brothers Stephen Bear (Christine) of Sandy Lake, ON, Solomon “Rocky” Bear of Tobique First Nation, Vance Bear (Mary) of Waskagnish, Quebec, Paul Bear of Tobique First Nation; seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and many Elders in training. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Melvin Bear. Gwen was a teacher and a cultural leader for the Aboriginal Community. She was very highly respected both locally and nationally. A celebration of Mary’s life was held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from the Mah-Sos School. Speakers for the celebration were Imelda Perley and Ronald Tremblay. Interment will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. The eulogy was given by The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. Pallbearers were Nathan Pirie, Melvin Bear, Christopher Bear, Anthony Okoye, Jonathan Wilson, and Shea Deutcher. Arrangements were entrusted to Brunswick Funeral Home, Perth-Andover.

Connor Fraser, 13 of Islandview, C.B., passed away Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the IWK, Halifax. Born in Sydney, he was the son of Stephen and Stella (Prosper) Fraser. He was a member of Holy Family parish, Eskasoni and a student in Eskasoni Elementary. His sense of humour was something his family and friends will always remember. Connor loved his computer, Sponge Bob, Phineas and Ferb. Connor’s life experiences benefited many in his community and beyond helping to enrich others with special needs. Connor is survived by his sister Christina (Frank Gloade), Millbrook; brothers Steve Jr. (Ashley Denny), Eskasoni; Daniel at home, maternal grandmother Bessie Prosper and niece Adisyn and nephews Aiden and Kendrick. Connor is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family along with godparents Allan Jeddore and Cindy Gould and many, many friends. He was predeceased by maternal grandfather Wilfred Prosper and paternal grandparents Simon Fraser and Emily (Doyle) (Fraser) Landry. Also predeceased by his aunt Carolyn. Visitation for Connor Fraser took place on, February 4, 2012 at the Gabriel Centre, Eskasoni. Funeral mass was celebrated on 6th of February, at Holy Family Church, Eskasoni. Interment in the parish cemetery. Donations may be made to the IWK or Ronald MacDonald House. Online condolences to T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel.

Sheila Marie Googoo, 51, of 55 74th St., Eskasoni, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Sydney, she was the daughter of the late Roddie and Matilda (Dennis) Googoo. She was a member of Holy Family parish, Eskasoni.Sheila was always a warm, lovable person who will be missed as a kind mother and grandmother. She loved to play bingo, Yahtzee, the VLT machine and will always be remembered for her beautiful, friendly smile. Sheila is survived by her four children, Denny B. Googoo, Robert Ritchie, Austin Herney, Jane Paul, all of Eskasoni; 10 grandchildren, Duran, Aleigha, Crisinda, Emily, Emma, Summer, Landon, Anton, Aiden, Ansen; godchildren, Annie B. Young and Tillie Googoo. Also surviving are sisters, Clara (Anthony), Laura, Florence, Rose Ann, Anita, Doreen, Linda, Trudy, Karen, Barbara (David); brothers, Roderick (Christine), Kenny (Frances), Raymond, Ryan (Hazel), Stephen, Francis J. and godmother, Mary Lee Dennis. She was predeceased by sisters, Susie Jane, Mary Isabel, Annie Bridget, brother, Robert ‘Bobby’ and godfather, Frank Dennis. Visitation for the late Sheila Googoo took place on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 55 74th St., Eskasoni. Funeral mass was celebrated on Feb. 25 at Holy Family Church. Rev. Martin MacDougall officiated. Interment in the parish cemetery. Online condolences to T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel.

T. Bernice Hull – It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of T. Bernice Hull of the Paqtnkek First Nation, Afton, Ant. Co. and formerly of Dartmouth Cole Harbour. Bernice passed away, with her sons at her side, on February 3, 2012 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish. Born in Halifax on August 27, 1946, she was a daughter of the Late Fred B. and Mary (Power) Nickerson. Bernice worked for Zurich Life Insurance for 27 years. She was a true supporter of the NDP party and accommodated the first Dartmouth Cole Harbour Dexter campaign. Bernice was an animal lover who also enjoyed painting and gardening. She is survived by her sons, Richard, Paqtnkek First Nation and Andrew, Halifax; sister, Rosalie Stoneman, Halifax; brother Greg Nickerson, Halifax; Many Nieces & Nephews. She was predeceased by brothers, Don, Frederick Bill, Douglas and John. At her request, there will be no visitation or service. Memorial donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or N.S. Lung Association. Arrangements are entrusted to the C. L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences to C.L. Curry Funeral Services Ltd.

Cynthia Lynn Lewis – It is with sadness that we, the family, announce the peaceful passing of Cynthia Lynn Lewis on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 at Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Sydney, she was the daughter of Mabel Morris of Eskasoni and the late Fred Sylliboy. Cynthia worked for a number of years at Sylliboy’s Hardware as a store clerk. She was an avid bingo player and always enjoyed a good game of cards and got great joy at family gatherings. In her younger years she attended teacher’s college in Truro. Cynthia was a dedicated wife and mother who had a strong faith in God and was a gentle person and a strong example to all. She will always be remembered for her great sense of humour. Cynthia’s greatest passion was her love of family. Cynthia is survived by her loving husband, Paul and children, Jaylene Kelley, Vernon ‘Vee’ and Justine Kelley; by grandson, Easton; brother, Frederick (Leta); nephew, J.C. and nieces, Promise Joy, Sidney Jane; godchildren, Mallery Anne, Blade and Austin; godmother, Sylvia Denny; friend, Kathleen and aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. She was predeceased by her sister, Darlene Kelley; nephew, Kris Andrew and godfather, Eugene. Visitation for the late Cynthia Lynn Lewis will take place after 7 p.m. at the Gabriel Center, Eskasoni on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. Funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, with Rev. Martin MacDougall officiating. Interment in the Eskasoni Parish Cemetery. Online condolences to the family may be sent to T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel.

MacNevin, Henry Wade, 20, of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, passed away peacefully at home on February 6, 2012, with many family members by his side. Born in Grace Maternity Hospital, Halifax, on December 21, 1991, he was the son of Roderick MacNevin of Antigonish and Darlene Prosper of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. Henry taught us about love and life and to enjoy the small things. He was happiest when he was swimming in his pool during the summer, swinging on his swing, and during drives along the ocean in the summer. He loved a good supper, a movie, and eventually being tucked into his bed with one of his many quilts made by his Kiju. Besides his parents, he will be sadly missed by his Kiju (grandmother) Anne Prosper, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, sisters Hannah MacNevin, Edmonton, and Karien LeBlanc, New Brunswick; brother, Tony Prosper, Truro; grand-uncle Horace MacNevin, Prince Edward Island, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Predeceased by paternal grandparents Lloyd and Irene (MacInnis) MacNevin and maternal grandfather Wilfred Prosper, uncle John F. Prosper; and aunts Karen Ann Prosper Francis and Alana MacNevin Whidden. There was a private family traditional ceremony for Henry. In Memoriam, donations to the Heatherton Activity Centre appreciated. Funeral arrangement were under the direction of the C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences to C.L. Curry Funeral Services Ltd.

MAGWOOD, Marie, (nee Paul), 71, of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, February 19, 2012, following a hard-fought, four-year battle with lung, head and neck cancer. Peter, her loving husband of 25 years, was alone at her side and picked up from the floor the tattered, well-read prayer to Ste. Anne she had held in her failing hands while she sat quietly in her favorite chair with eyes closed and hands clasped in devotion. Marie, one of the first women in NS to have had her land claim settled and native status restored by Bill C-31, an Act to Amend the Indian Act, in the late 1980s, was a proud, often-outspoken Millbrook band member who was known and admired for her gregariousness, friendship, loyalty to and love of family and friends in Dartmouth, Halifax, Truro and Ottawa. She was the daughter of the late Irene (Cope) Paul and Andrew Wilfred Paul, of the Millbrook, and sister to Cecilia Phillips and Evelyn Paul, of Millbrook. She also was the aunt of Colleen Croucher, of Indian Harbour, N.S., who was the daughter of the late Phyllis (Paul) Croucher, Marie’s younger sister, and great aunt to Paige Croucher and Mason Croucher, all of Indian Harbour. Our sincere thanks to the many doctors, nurses and technicians who attended Marie during her four years of consultations, treatments and examinations at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre and the QE II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax. They are too numerous to mention here but Marie and Peter were very fond of Dr. Richard Warren, our family physician; Dr. Slawa Cwajna and Dr. Gaurav Bahl, radiation oncologists, and Dr. Stephanie Snow, medical oncologist, her last attending specialist. Your compassion, dedication and professionalism were heartwarming and inspiring and we found great comfort in your doctor-patient communication skills and humanity. A special thanks to young RCMP constables Heidi Stevenson and Chris Pilon for your kind words of comfort; to the EHS paramedics and firefighters who tried to revive Marie and told me, in the gentlest way possible, that she had passed away quickly and quietly, and to Rev. Katherine Bourbonniere, of the Church of Saint Andrew, Cole Harbour, for her words of solace, wisdom and encouragement on the day of our loss. To pharmacist and friend Don Kyte and all staff at Kyte’s Pharmasave — God Bless and thank you all once again. Family, friends and all who knew Marie were invited to attend a graveside internment ceremony on Feb. 25, at Sacred Heart cemetery, Church Road, Millbrook, which was conducted by Fr. Francesco Pirifi. A celebration of life followed at the Millbrook community hall.

Syliboy, Noel Morris, Hammonds Plains, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He is now in the loving arms of his soul mate our mother, Rita (Prosper). He was born in Pictou Landing and was a son of the late Mathew & Matilda (Francis) Syliboy. In the 1950’s he moved to Boston, Mass. and worked for many years as an iron worker and also as manager at Ceasars Monticello. He moved back to Canada in the late 1970s and drove taxi for Y taxi and Yellow Cab for over 25 years until his retirement in 2001. Dad played baseball and hockey in his younger years and was an avid Boston Bruins Fan. He is survived by his daughters, Maureen (Steven Dickens), Alex (Steven Rankin), Bernadette (Michael Finlay), Lena (Stephen Gianocostas) and Regina, sons, Robert, Ronnie and Gerard James (Sonya Toney) and grand-daughters, Melody and Melissa Prosper who he raised as his own daughters. He is survived by 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, John R. and Dan Joe Prosper, Paqtnkek, many nieces and nephews. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was predeceased by daughters Mary Agnes and Patsy, sons, Jimmy and Clyde. He was always a hardworking man who treasured his children, grandchildren and great-grand-children. Visitation was held at the  Atlantic Funeral Home, 125 Sackville Drive. His remains will be transferred to his brother-in-law’s home John R Prosper, 7926 hwy #4, Paqtnkek for a wake held on Feb. 26. Funeral mass was held on Feb. 27, in Immaculate Church, Heatherton, Antigonish County, Fr Charles Cameron officiated. Thank you to all the staff of Northwood Ivany Place, Schooner Landing, Bedford who provided loving care to our father in his final years of life. On-line condolences may be made to Atlantic Funeral Homes.