Obituary Notice for the late Dawn McCourt

From Drop Box

After a very short illness with cancer, Dawn Edna McCourt, age 59 of Beaver Harbour, Nova Scotia passed away Tuesday, 29 November 2011 at home with her husband and daughters at her side.

Dawn was born 14 August 1952 in Clinton, Ontario, the daughter of Donothan Shirley Smith who survives her and Thelma Ruth Smith who predeceased her.

Always living up to her name, Dawn was a life force filled with a vibrant energy and a sunny smile. She will be remembered in every new dawn by her husband Brian Denis McCourt, her daughters Patricia Dawn McCourt and Dana Elizabeth McCourt, and her son Kristofer Brian McCourt. Dawn’s granddaughters Breanna Emilienne Muise and Payten Elizabeth Muise, knew her as Nanny. Nanny always had time for them, providing her ever-flowing encouragement, just as she did for everyone she came to know.

Dawn and her siblings Alan Smith, Rick Smith and Susan MacGregor grew up as airforce kids, living throughout Canada from Whitehorse and Vancouver to Clinton, Ontario. She became a “mountie’s wife” when she married her childhood crush, after he joined the R.C.M.P. Moving from Antigonish, to Truro, Regina, Inuvik, Yarmouth, to Tantallon, Maple Ridge and Vancouver, finally to their retirement home in Beaver Harbour, and recently becoming snowbirds with a winter home in Palmetto, Florida…

Every where Dawn went she made fast friends and instantly became involved in her community. She made and kept connections everywhere, believing that the bonds of friendship would outlast any distance between friends, sisters, fellow artists and family. While often apart from those she cherished, at every reunion with Dawn it was as if no time or distance had ever come in between.

Even as cancer overcame Dawn’s body her beautiful, radiant spirit shone through. She was someone who found the good in every person and situation. She lived with no regrets, and appreciated everything her life had provided her.

Dawn loved to laugh, was at times silly, and often funny – bringing the healing of laughter to those around her. She has been described by many as warm, sweet and loyal. She was a talented artisan, with a vast number of mediums that had become her craft. She was a seamstress, a painter, a decorator, a flower arranger, and more.

Ever the diplomat, Dawn chose her words carefully, yet wished to always express her thoughts, feelings and opinions to those around her. Her determination to live and love life shone through during her final days as she found joy in the simple things of companionship, love, laughter, sunrises and sunsets, and the incredible surroundings of the home she and Brian created on MacLeod’s Cove, just as she had in good health.

Dawn always put her family first, making time for long goodnight rituals with her grand-daughters, to send countless supportive emails and phone calls to her children and siblings, and putting aside her personal comfort to provide for the needs of everyone she cared about.

She loved to travel, often with family and friends joining her. She could name the highlights of every family vacation, journey with her soulmate, and trip with friends as if each and every one were her absolute favourite place to be.

Dawn had such a love for people and was known to be the most honest, down to earth, genuine and caring person you could meet.

On behalf of Dawn her family wishes to thank the community of Port Dufferin and Sheet Harbour who have provided countless meals, words of support and encouragement and more during a very difficult period. The depth with which Dawn has touched so many lives is evident in the sheer number of cards, emails and supportive gestures offered by so many. She was loved and respected by so many more than could have ever been imagined.

The church memorial funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10^th – 11am at St. James Anglican Church, Port Dufferin, with Rev’d Kay Knott officiating. Reception to follow at noon at the Sheet Harbour Lions Centre, Sheet Harbour.

A private family internment will follow at Memorial Gardens, Dartmouth, 3:30pm. Reception to follow at Atlantic Funeral Homes, Dartmouth.

Donations may be made to: Canadian Cancer Society, Liver Foundation of Canada, or Canadian Diabetes Association.

Online condolences may be made at: www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com