Jean Savoy

Jean Savoy, March 31, 1941 - April 28, 2020. With great sadness we announce the death of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Mary Bernadine Jean Savoy (Hall), age 79, at the Aberdeen Hospital after a lengthy illness. Mom was born and raised in Newcastle, N.B. along with her five siblings. After graduating from high school where she earned a Commercial Secretarial Diploma including a Certificate of Proficiency in Stenography, Mom moved to Montreal for a short time until her beau Sonny surprised her with a visit convincing her to come back home. Jean and Sonny danced, married, danced, moved to New Glasgow, danced, raised their children, danced, moved back to the Miramichi, danced, moved back to New Glasgow and danced some more. 

Mom valued family above all else and although she did work for a few years outside the home at Commercial Equipment and Stan Henderson’s Trucking, her passion was family. She was a member of Kinettes, a Brownie Leader, and a choir member. She was also an avid reader and much to everyone’s delight, a terrific baker.

She loved her family fiercely and poured her heart into raising us and creating a beautiful home. She and Dad curated a collection of memories for their children, full of camping trips, picnics and frog catching on Green Hill, trips to the Melmerby Beach, water fights and hide and seek in the backyard not to mention many magical birthdays and Christmases. 

Her youngest sister Debbie came to live with us as a teenager which multiplied the love and joy of our home. Suppertime was family time and every day promptly at 5pm we all jammed around our little table where we would laugh, cry, learn, and love, and spilt milk was never cried over. No topic was off limits unless it was unkind and Mom always instilled the value of making the best of a bad situation. 

She found solace through her many challenges by helping others whether it was anonymous groceries delivered on your doorstep, looking after a neighbour’s child, rushing to the aid of one of her family or friends during crisis, or making the best chocolate birthday cake with boiled icing you ever tasted. She was the first one to raise her hand and the last to seek credit.

Mom never put on airs and did not warm to those who did. She faced more challenges than most which resulted in a vulnerability which she shared generously, putting those around her at ease to share their own burdens.

She was a loyal friend. The manner which she nurtured her friendships, it’s no wonder she amassed loads of friends, too numerous to list. When Mom and Dad moved back to New Glasgow five years ago she quickly made connections at "The Willow" where they resided. She marvelled at the community of people they had found and drew strength from those friendships, especially when her sweet Sonny had been ill for a period. She was so grateful for again being close to her younger sister Debbie and her long-time loyal friend whom she loved like a sister, Jeanette Cameron. 

Her language was full of heartwarming and delightful phrases which we call "Nannyisms". Whether she was "going like a bluearse fly", "putting on the dog", or "driving a crazy man sensible", you were always entertained in her company. 

Mom shared a special bond with her beloved grandchildren and loved them as fiercely as they adored her. She was excited for any chance to be a part of their lives but never had expectations of them. She was always elevated by their triumphs.

A few of the many lessons the manner in which she chose to live has taught us are: If you have no expectations you will have no disappointments; Treat others the way you wish to be treated; and If you live by your conscience you will never go wrong. 

The last few months Mom has suffered with her illness however her life overall has been full and vibrant. So as Mom might say, "Be careful you don’t throw the baby out with the bath water." Hers is a life to be celebrated. 

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Cora and Allie Hall, her sisters, Kathleen Spencer, Annie Betts and Margaret Hunt, her nephews, Howard Mockler, Gregory McEachreon and Jamie Collrin, and her nieces, Brenda McEachreon and Cindy Hunt.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald "Sonny" Savoy; her siblings, Debbie (Dennis) White, and Michael Hall; her children, Linda (Kevin) MacDonald, Tyrone Savoy and Tamara (Barry) Mitchell; her grandchildren, Zachary and Kelsey Mitchell, Luke and Haley MacDonald; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Joan McEachreon, Audrey Collrin, Edward (Dawn) Savoy, Albert (Cheryl) Savoy, Robert (Faye) Savoy, Donna Savoy and Sam MacArthur; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. We are grateful that she has found peace but will miss her profoundly. May her love live on in our hearts and be a balm to our wounds. Dance on Mom.

In lieu of flowers, please do a kind deed or make a donation to Palliative Care or a charity of your choice. As was her wish, her remains have been cremated. A public graveside service will take place 11 am Saturday, August 8, in the Abercrombie Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow.