Burma Millicent Marshall, age 73, of New Glasgow, NS, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 25, 2021 in the Palliative Care Unit of The Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, under the attentive care of Dr. Anne Kowasnik and remotely, her sister- in- law, Dr. Maureen Goutier, PhD Medical Sociology (Gerontology). During her illness, Burma received special friendship and care from Crystal States, Arletta (care worker), Sylvia (friend), John Howard Society (friends) and her sister Emily. We extend our warmest gratitude to them for their kindness to Burma.
Throughout her adult life, Burma served her community compassionately and selflessly. Burma retired after a twenty-eight year teaching career at Temperance Street School, New Glasgow, and continued to give generously of time and efforts to her community and those in need. She devoted her time volunteering within her church community as a choir member, with Circle of Friends and monthly Sunday senior home church services, and the town of New Glasgow Community Garden. Burma served on committee boards, including Chairperson of ‘The Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital’, volunteer at the ‘John Howard Society Restorative Justice, ‘Big Brothers and Sisters of Pictou County’, ‘The Canadian Red Cross’ and ‘Gardens in Bloom For The Town of New Glasgow’. Singing was one of Burma’s favourite pastimes and she particularly enjoyed performing with her many friends in the ‘Trinitarian Choir’ under the direction of Director, Monica Punke.
Burma was predeceased by her parents, Aubrey Joseph and Emma Louise Marshall (Glace Bay) and her foster parents, Albert and Carrie Best (New Glasgow); as well as her sisters, Dolly and Brenda, her brother, Russell, and her foster brother, Calbert Best Jr.
To acknowledge our sister’s commitment to the field and study of EDUCATION, her surviving siblings, Emily, Sharon, Letitia, twin sisters, Debbie and Donna and brothers, Phinny, Keith and Aubrey, have created "The Burma Marshall Memorial Scholarship Fund" in her honour. Memorial donations to The Burma Marshall Memorial Fund (in lieu of flowers) are being received online at the following email address: [email protected] or at the following mailing address: Teachers Plus Credit Union, 36 Brookshire Ct., Bedford, NS, B4A 4E9. Donations can also be made to any charity of your choice.
In a recent newspaper article, Burma considered herself to be lucky in life, "dining with the Queen, meeting Prime Minister Trudeau twice, musician Dan Hill, Lincoln Alexander (first Black MP), Martin Luther King Jr, ll." We are thankful that she was a part of our lives.
The family sincerely thank the very many of Burma’s former students, friends and colleagues who have already expressed such warm comments and condolences to us on Social Media.
A private graveside service took Wednesday, June 2. A private
memorial service will take place at 3pm Sunday, September 19. The
service will be livestreamed at:
Burma Marshall Memorial Service
(Livestream will begin at approximately 2:55. For those unable to watch the service live or if there are any technical difficulties with the livestream, a recording of the service will be available later)
Arrangements are under the direction of the R.H. Porter Funeral Home.
Ms. Angela Bowden, Author, and Burma’s former student, is quoted from her recent poem written as a tribute to Burma:
".. Felt love wrapped in your essence,
Carrying your own weight
you were a blessing
Carrying some of ours
And carrying theirs too
So we could walk a little lighter
Maybe shine a little brighter
Oh the confidence you had in us
Was true
You ignited the flames
that burn today
We are because of you."
(May 18th, 2021)
We will miss her warmth and smile.