Obituary of Constance Marie Hawes

Age 77, Spry Harbour. October 8, 1940 - September 23, 2018. With profound sadness and broken hearts we announce the death of our Mom and Nana, surrounded by the love of family, on Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Though we mourn her, she is with her husband, Sherman, where she was likely met by dad asking, "What took you so long?" Her love of everyone she interacted with, generosity of spirit, gentle soul and radiant smile, made Connie the beautiful woman that she was. Connie was born in Watt Section on October 8, 1940 to Lloyd and Lillian (Rutledge) Malay. She was raised in the small, close-knit community of the Eastern Shore. Connie then headed to Halifax and worked at Victoria Hall on Gottingen Street. She soon returned to Sheet Harbour where she took a custodial job at the Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital. During this time, she met Sherman and followed him back to Halifax. Connie worked at Sears and as a Nanny in Fairview. She and Sherman became engaged, married on August 19, 1961, and returned to Spry Harbour to begin their new life together. Hawes General Store was born upon their return and soon became known simply as "Connie's Place." Her store was well- stocked and her heart generous. It began as a humble canteen run out of the back of their garage. It was an ever-popular attraction at the ball games on the Spry Harbour Atoms field. The canteen then moved into the sun porch of the family home, expanded several times, and ran until its closing in 1999 after her initial cancer diagnosis. Connie's Place was a popular hangout for the area's kids for generations. Connie would always add an extra few penny candies to your bag - just for good measure. Her customers were a delight and she enjoyed the hours spent listening to the happenings of their lives and watching families grow over the years. She missed every aspect of it after it closed. The store closing provided her opportunity to enjoy the things she loved the most: playing ball, bowling, dances, and social outings. This also meant more quality time with her family. Being surrounded by family and friends was Connie's greatest happiness. She embraced life to its fullest. Nana's house was one of the most welcoming homes on the Eastern Shore. It was a gathering place for family and friends, and seemed to always be full of people - whether after dances at the Spry Harbour Hall or for family holidays. Nana's house wasn't complete without some freshly-baked bread, chocolate chip cookies, a bowl of mixed nuts on the coffee table, and an endless supply of candy. Nobody every left Connie's hungry. In fact, you'd probably leave with enough food to last the week. Even with all the cooking and baking she was known for, we don't think Nana ever ate a full, hot meal. From sun up to sun down, she was never off her feet; she always put others before herself. Connie loved to play cards and had a reputation for showing little mercy, whether she was playing Crib, Blackout, or Pisonu. She enjoyed bingo games and bowling whenever she could. If she wasn't out playing games, she liked to watch them on TV; The Price is Right and Family Feud were a couple of her favourites. She loved trips back to the camp and fishing with her late husband and dear friends. The annual cousin party was a highlight of mom's year. Connie was a member of the Spry Harbour Atoms Athletic Club and New Horizon's Seniors Club, Sheet Harbour. In her absence we will miss voicemail messages that always began "Hi, it's just your mother calling," her baking, card games, and how she had a special set of earrings for every blouse. She was always up for a bit of fun and practical joking. Thank you to the friends and neighbours who looked out for mom after dad passed and included her in outings. Connie was like a mother and grandmother to people beyond biological family and we know she loved you just like family. Connie was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Sherman. Surviving are her children, Sherma Lynn (Willy) Versteeg, Milford; Jeff (Sue Ann), Mineville, and Janet Hawes (Karl McGrath), Eastern Passage; grandchildren, Vanessa (Pat) Sweet, Vicki (Will) Brooke, Meredith Versteeg (Alex Stavert), Hillary (Doug) Miles, Brandon Hawes, Kennedy Hawes, Melissa Hyland (Shannon Abbott), Mark (Robyn) Hyland and great-grandchildren, Charlotte Sweet, Thomas Brooke, Fenton Miles, and Isabella and Everly Hyland, sisters, Nancy (Kenneth) Rutledge, Patricia (Jack) Harrison, Linda Lowe, and sister-in-law, Brenda Malay; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Connie was predeceased by her parents; brother, Junior; sisters, Marilyn and Wanetta, and brother-in-law, Allan Lowe. Arrangements have been entrusted to D.S. Crowell & Son Funeral Home, Sheet Harbour. Visitation: Friday, September 28th from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. with prayers at 3 p.m. Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 29th at 2 p.m., in St. Michael's Anglican Church, Sheet Harbour, Rev. Lorraine Otto officiating. Special thanks to Dr. Don MacDonald, Dr. Sue Robinson, and the palliative care teams at Dartmouth General and Colchester East Hants Hospitals for your compassionate care. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society.