Pynn, Gloria Ann – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Gloria Pynn, age 78, on December 9, 2023.
Mom was born in Halifax and moved to West Jeddore at the age of 4, where she and her sister, Chris, were raised by John and Gladys Kent. It was in this family and tight knit community where she learned to love and to serve God. Her church community, no matter where she lived, was her touchstone throughout her life. She is remembered in her church communities for her kindness, her hearty and willing laugh, her freely proffered hugs, and her work ethic. Mom could turn any work session into a good time, whether it was by telling jokes, singing songs or pulling pranks.
Mom craved time in nature and found solace in her walks in Victoria Park and at Kiwanis Pond. Peggy’s Cove and Clam Harbour Beach were also favourites, and she never turned down the chance for a drive. She was an avid supporter of Christian camping, volunteering her time at Camp Pagweak in Pugwash, N.S. and at Camp Wegesegum in Chipman, N.B. There are many stories of Gloria’s antics at camp, where she was always looking for the next opportunity to play a joke on someone. She passed on that love of camping to her children.
Despite, or maybe because of, being from a small community, Mom had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. She travelled all over the world, both for pleasure and on mission trips. Kenya always had a special place in her heart, and her greatest wish was to return to start a mission there.
Mom loved her family. She was so very proud of her daughters, Taunya and Anisa. She welcomed her son-in-law, Roger Crowe, into the family with open arms and loved to feed him. Brianna Pynn was her chosen granddaughter, and she took great pleasure in their talks. It was her grandsons, however - Isaac and Seth Crowe - who held the biggest pieces of her heart. There was nothing they could ask of Nana that she would not drop everything to do for them, and there was nothing that brought her more joy than her visits with them. The most heartbreaking time of her dementia was when she ceased to recall who they were.
We are enormously grateful to the staff at Wynn Park Villa who provided care for Mom over the last five years. Dementia is an ugly disease, but she was consistently treated with kindness and compassion, and they allowed her to have dignity to the very end.
A celebration of Gloria’s life will take place in People’s Church, Truro, on Saturday, December 16th, beginning with visitation at 10 a.m. and service to follow at 11 a.m.
We ask that you not send flowers. Those of you who knew Mom know she was not exactly discriminating in giving her money away; having said that, Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) was particularly close to her heart. You are, therefore, encouraged to make a donation to CBM or literally any charity that is important to you.
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