Obituary for Elaine Elizabeth Allen
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Elaine Elizabeth (Vokey) Allen of Corkum’s Island, announce her passing on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater at the age of 70.
Born at the old St. Joseph Hospital in Glace Bay, NS, Elaine was the second eldest daughter of the late Ernest and Annie (LeLievre) Vokey. Elaine grew up in the community of Reserve Mines, NS and graduated from Reserve District High in 1969.
Upon High School graduation she was sponsored by the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and enrolled in the School of Medical Laboratory Technology at the Halifax Infirmary in Halifax. She graduated with a certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology and received the designation as a Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist. Upon graduation she spent two years working at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital then returned to Halifax, where she worked at the Halifax Infirmary.
Elaine spent a life-changing weekend in Lunenburg, where she met David (Pumpkin) Allen. He would become her husband of 47 years and called Corkum’s Island home for most of those years.
Elaine spent a short time working at Dawson Memorial Hospital in Bridgewater before finishing her illustrious career in the Lab at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg. She shared many laughs with staff members and patients while treating them with love, kindness, and compassion. Elaine was there to trouble-shoot equipment when repairs were required. Elaine was able to make the most anxious patient relax with her uncanny ability to tell a joke – she never forgot a punch line. She was also known for making all newcomers to the hospital welcome, often inviting new staff to her home for dinner and occasionally playing matchmaker.
Elaine was an active member of the community. She coached her first curling team in 1976 and spent many years coaching youth and adults at the Lunenburg Curling Club. She also volunteered at the provincial level and represented the Nova Scotia Junior Curling Program at the Canadian Junior Championship in 1997 as the provincial representative.
Elaine fell in love with art after enrolling in an oil painting class with June Olsen early in her life. She actively started to pursue her interest in 2011 when she and a friend decided to enrol in painting classes with Cheryl Corkum. While Elaine learned the finer points of painting various scenes, she kept her classmates amused every Tuesday morning. Elaine thoroughly missed these classes during the Covid-19 pandemic but continued to create beautiful masterpieces for family and friends to enjoy. Elaine other's interests included playing the guitar, swimming, and curling. In her retirement, she also learned how to golf and downhill ski and spent time with Corkum’s Island Knitter club.
Elaine was known to her family and friends as the “Super Fan”. Not only did she support her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews in their endeavours, but also cheered on local community athletes, dancers and musicians, especially band concerts where Laura was performing, and took a fond interest in all their achievements.
Elaine and David loved to travel, always going somewhere with family and friends. Her favourite place to visit was Maui, Hawaii, and would tell anyone who would listen that they needed to go there. Her travelling was limited in her later years due to a diagnosis of Crohn’s.
Elaine’s brightest smiles came when she spoke of her beloved grandchildren Ryan and Charlotte, who brought her the most joy in the final years of her life.
Elaine fought a courageous 10-month battle against a Glioblastoma Brain Tumour. Elaine shared her artwork, love, kindness, gratitude, compassion and humour during her time spent with the staff at the South Shore Regional Hospital (SSRH) 4th Floor Medical unit, led by Dr. Anne Chaisson. Elaine was still the life of the party, even from a hospital bed; laughter was often present in her room. The family would like to thank all those who contributed to the tremendous care and support Elaine received during the past 10-months, especially the care received during her final weeks on the 4th-Floor Medical unit at SSRH. Their care and compassion shown added a bright spot during this difficult time.
Elaine's last gift was donating her brain to the Atlantic Brain Tumour Bank and her body to Dalhousie University Medical Program. For this reason, there will be no visitation and interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg at a later date.
Elaine is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Tom) Tays, Burlington, ON and Laura, Corkum’s Island; grandchildren, Ryan and Charlotte Tays; Sisters, Karen (Ronald) Gillis, Gananoque, ON, Dr. Yvonne (Richard) Leblanc, Hamilton, ON, and Brenda (Arthur) Lewis, Ancaster, ON; Brother Bill (Michelle) Vokey, Sydney, NS, nephews, Dennis Gillis, Ernie Gillis, Daniel Leblanc and Mitchell Lewis; nieces, Amanda Leblanc, Annette Gillis, Cynthia Vokey and Andrea Vokey; grand nephew Alec LeBlanc; grand nieces Adelyn LeBlanc and Pearl Passerini; Aunt Lavinia (Beanie) Vokey and Uncle Freeman Vokey and many other cousins.
Elaine was predeceased by her parents and most recently her husband David.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg where a Celebration of Life Service for Elaine will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the funeral home, Rev. Dr. Wendell Eisener, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada for Research – Elaine’s Legacy Leaver Team, Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, or to any other charity.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca
Born at the old St. Joseph Hospital in Glace Bay, NS, Elaine was the second eldest daughter of the late Ernest and Annie (LeLievre) Vokey. Elaine grew up in the community of Reserve Mines, NS and graduated from Reserve District High in 1969.
Upon High School graduation she was sponsored by the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and enrolled in the School of Medical Laboratory Technology at the Halifax Infirmary in Halifax. She graduated with a certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology and received the designation as a Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist. Upon graduation she spent two years working at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital then returned to Halifax, where she worked at the Halifax Infirmary.
Elaine spent a life-changing weekend in Lunenburg, where she met David (Pumpkin) Allen. He would become her husband of 47 years and called Corkum’s Island home for most of those years.
Elaine spent a short time working at Dawson Memorial Hospital in Bridgewater before finishing her illustrious career in the Lab at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg. She shared many laughs with staff members and patients while treating them with love, kindness, and compassion. Elaine was there to trouble-shoot equipment when repairs were required. Elaine was able to make the most anxious patient relax with her uncanny ability to tell a joke – she never forgot a punch line. She was also known for making all newcomers to the hospital welcome, often inviting new staff to her home for dinner and occasionally playing matchmaker.
Elaine was an active member of the community. She coached her first curling team in 1976 and spent many years coaching youth and adults at the Lunenburg Curling Club. She also volunteered at the provincial level and represented the Nova Scotia Junior Curling Program at the Canadian Junior Championship in 1997 as the provincial representative.
Elaine fell in love with art after enrolling in an oil painting class with June Olsen early in her life. She actively started to pursue her interest in 2011 when she and a friend decided to enrol in painting classes with Cheryl Corkum. While Elaine learned the finer points of painting various scenes, she kept her classmates amused every Tuesday morning. Elaine thoroughly missed these classes during the Covid-19 pandemic but continued to create beautiful masterpieces for family and friends to enjoy. Elaine other's interests included playing the guitar, swimming, and curling. In her retirement, she also learned how to golf and downhill ski and spent time with Corkum’s Island Knitter club.
Elaine was known to her family and friends as the “Super Fan”. Not only did she support her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews in their endeavours, but also cheered on local community athletes, dancers and musicians, especially band concerts where Laura was performing, and took a fond interest in all their achievements.
Elaine and David loved to travel, always going somewhere with family and friends. Her favourite place to visit was Maui, Hawaii, and would tell anyone who would listen that they needed to go there. Her travelling was limited in her later years due to a diagnosis of Crohn’s.
Elaine’s brightest smiles came when she spoke of her beloved grandchildren Ryan and Charlotte, who brought her the most joy in the final years of her life.
Elaine fought a courageous 10-month battle against a Glioblastoma Brain Tumour. Elaine shared her artwork, love, kindness, gratitude, compassion and humour during her time spent with the staff at the South Shore Regional Hospital (SSRH) 4th Floor Medical unit, led by Dr. Anne Chaisson. Elaine was still the life of the party, even from a hospital bed; laughter was often present in her room. The family would like to thank all those who contributed to the tremendous care and support Elaine received during the past 10-months, especially the care received during her final weeks on the 4th-Floor Medical unit at SSRH. Their care and compassion shown added a bright spot during this difficult time.
Elaine's last gift was donating her brain to the Atlantic Brain Tumour Bank and her body to Dalhousie University Medical Program. For this reason, there will be no visitation and interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg at a later date.
Elaine is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Tom) Tays, Burlington, ON and Laura, Corkum’s Island; grandchildren, Ryan and Charlotte Tays; Sisters, Karen (Ronald) Gillis, Gananoque, ON, Dr. Yvonne (Richard) Leblanc, Hamilton, ON, and Brenda (Arthur) Lewis, Ancaster, ON; Brother Bill (Michelle) Vokey, Sydney, NS, nephews, Dennis Gillis, Ernie Gillis, Daniel Leblanc and Mitchell Lewis; nieces, Amanda Leblanc, Annette Gillis, Cynthia Vokey and Andrea Vokey; grand nephew Alec LeBlanc; grand nieces Adelyn LeBlanc and Pearl Passerini; Aunt Lavinia (Beanie) Vokey and Uncle Freeman Vokey and many other cousins.
Elaine was predeceased by her parents and most recently her husband David.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg where a Celebration of Life Service for Elaine will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the funeral home, Rev. Dr. Wendell Eisener, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada for Research – Elaine’s Legacy Leaver Team, Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, or to any other charity.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca