Erskine (Larkin), Brenda Mary Therese – The family of Brenda Mary Therese (Larkin) Erskine is deeply saddened to announce that she passed away on November 27, 2019 at the age of 84, but grateful that she did so peacefully and surrounded by love.
Brenda was predeceased by her loving husband, Hugh; her brothers-in-law, Willard Erskine, Raymond Atwood, Keith Fancy; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Fancy. She is survived by her children, Sean, and Tara (Brent Culligan); grandchildren, Katherine, Anya, Maeve and Declan; sisters, Patricia Larkin, Ireland; and Sheena Larkin LaBrie, Bedford; brothers, Greg Larkin (Deirdre), Ireland, and Maurice Larkin, Halifax; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Atwood, Jean Erskine, Colleen Larkin; and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Port Rush, in County Derry, Northern Ireland, Brenda grew up in Magherafelt and Belfast. She followed her brother, Maurice to Canada in 1966 and planned to stay for a year, but stayed for over fifty. A registered nurse who loved working in the O.R., Brenda did her training at the Mid-Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt and worked at various hospitals including the South Tyrone Hospital in Omagh; the City Hospital in Belfast; Charing Cross Hospital in London, England; and later the original Halifax Infirmary and the Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital.
Ever kind and patient, Brenda will be remembered for her warm smile, generous nature and interest in others. A passionate community volunteer, Brenda dedicated her time and talents over the years to many organizations, including the Women’s Institute, the Pony Club, as a founder of the Fellowship Club for seniors in Upper Musquodoboit (long before she was a senior), the building of the largest wooden playground in Nova Scotia, the establishment of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, various political campaigns, and many roles with Holy Cross Church. An accomplished pie maker, it was Brenda’s idea to sell pies at the Halifax County Exhibition to raise the funds to build Holy Cross, which became known as “the church that pies built.”
An amateur dramatist, Brenda will be remembered for her leading roles in Arsenic & Old Lace by the Musquodoboit Valley Players and more recently in the Wizard of Oz by the Parkland Players, where she was the Wicked Witch of the West, acting alongside her Corgi, Shane, who played Toto.
Six years ago Brenda moved from Upper Musquodoboit to Halifax to be closer to her family. She loved her time at Parkland at the Gardens where she was an active member of the singing, poetry, and drama groups and a founding member of the cribbage club.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 2 in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 11645 Hwy. 224, Middle Musquodoboit, Father Michael Walsh officiating. A reception will follow downstairs in the church. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Upper Musquodoboit. An Irish Wake and Celebration of Life will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, December 2 in the Royal Artillery Park Officers’ Mess, 1575 Queen St., Halifax. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of NS or a local charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.
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