Obituary of Marion Elizabeth Monk

MONK, Marion Elizabeth Age 98, East Ship Harbour. It is with immense sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved mother, Marion Elizabeth (McKay) Monk, on Monday, July 13th, 2026. Born in Little Harbour, Halifax County, she was the daughter of the late Matthew and Laura (Baker) McKay. Mom was loved by all, and a force like no other when it came to her family. At the age of 16, she shared in the responsibility for raising her eight siblings after her mother’s passing. Later she married the love of her life, Thomas Monk, who accepted her siblings as his own, and together they took pride in raising them. In her early years, she was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse and had the opportunity to progress in her career, but instead chose to prioritize her family, which she never regretted. She was a member of her CWL and served as secretary for many years. She had a keen interest in genealogy and spent countless hours discovering her family history. She loved to go cranberry picking and this adventure became a yearly family tradition. Summers were spent camping with her family on Clam Harbour Beach. She was an avid knitter and firmly believed that every member of her extended family needed a pair of wool socks. Mom was famous for her preserved pears, which she took great pride in. Lots of laughter and love were shared as she imparted her methods for canning. She was a night owl and looked forward to nightly conversations with loved ones. If you were under the weather or felt a little off, you didn’t need a book, you just called Mom for natural remedies. She will be deeply missed by her sons Joseph (Sharon), Tony (Marilyn), and Jerome (who made it possible for her to remain in her home), her daughter, Marianne (Harry, her “favourite” son-in-law) Marshall; daughter-in-law Patricia MacKay; and a son by choice, Byron Courtney; her cherished grandchildren, Richard, Robert (Riley), Stephen, Judy (Trevor), David (Annaleigh), Stephanie (Ryan), Thomas (Lara), Tylor (Heather) and Travis (Kristen); great grandchildren Mitchell, Logan, Joseph, Cayla, Quartz, Sarah, Addison, Rosalie, Dante, Ruby Jean, Emberleigh, Beatrice, Amalia, Ophelia and Taylor; her brother, Donald McKay (Pam); many nieces and nephews, and the special people who have been a part of her life for most of theirs, most especially Elizabeth and her family. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas; two sons in infancy; son Tommy; daughter-in-law Margaret; a brother whom she raised as a son, Herbert; her precious baby grandson Tyson; brothers Norman, Benjamin and Cecil; sisters Myrtle, Margaret and Ruby. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at St. Denis Roman Catholic Cemetery, East Ship Harbour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brain Injury Society of Nova Scotia or the Home of the Guardian Angel.