Burrows (Belmore), Glenda Bernice - With heartbreaking sadness, we announce the passing of Glenda Bernice (Belmore) Burrows of Wellington, NS on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
Glenda was born in a small house on the shore of Burkner Lake in Caribou Gold Mines. She was the fourth of seven children of the late Bernard Belmore and Eleanor “Dolly” Taylor Belmore. This humble beginning laid the foundation for the start of a beautiful, strong, compassionate and determined young girl. Growing up in this remote mining community taught Glenda to be creative and resourceful. She and her siblings would invent games, play in the woods, sing together, and find joy and humour in even the smallest of things. Music and laughter were present throughout her life.
Glenda blossomed into an extraordinary teacher. The inspiration from her mother as her teacher in a one-room school forged her path as an educator and a lifelong learner. She completed her teaching certificate in Physical Education from Nova Scotia Teachers College and later received her Bachelors and Masters of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University. Glenda saw something special in every student, inspiring them to be their best and to believe in themselves. The connections that she nurtured with her students continued long after their school years. She started her teaching career at Graham Creighton Junior High in Cherrybrook, NS. She went on to teach at many schools in Nova Scotia, including Elmsdale District School, Stewiacke Elementary School, Milford Elementary School and Maple Ridge Elementary School. She also taught in the United States at Greenwood Friends School, Berwick Elementary School and Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Pennsylvania.
Playing in the woods as a child in Caribou planted the seeds for her appreciation of nature and her passion for protecting it. She was an advocate with many environmental groups, including Save Caribou, Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association, Flowing Together, David Suzuki Foundation, World Wildlife Federation and Learning for Nature. She completed training as a Wetland Delineator, specializing in plant identification. The impact of her tireless dedication and hard work protecting wildlife and the environment will continue on.
Glenda’s passion also extended to preserving the forgotten history and historical site of Markland, a previously unrecognized settlement in Nova Scotia. She was a founding member and served as Chair of the Icelandic Memorial Society of Nova Scotia. Community was important to Glenda. She initiated and volunteered with local soccer teams, gymnastics clubs, Ladies Keep Fit Fitness program and the Wellington Polar Bear Club to name a few. She was one of the first to start a school garden and composting program in her area. Glenda was a supporting partner and advisor to her husband, Ken’s businesses.
In 1966, Glenda met her future, adoring husband, Ken Burrows from Pennsylvania. He had been hired to fly a private plane to Nova Scotia with a promise of being introduced to the most beautiful girl in the province. Promise delivered. They were married in 1968 and started their life and family in Nova Scotia. Family was Glenda’s life. Their three children, Kenny, Marcy and Jeff are who they are today because of her unwavering love and support. She also loved her children’s spouses as her own. Glenda was blessed with eight wonderful grandchildren who all have fortunately adopted Glenda’s goodness.
Glenda is survived by her husband, Ken; son, Kenny (Alison); daughter, Marcy (Scott Tilford); son, Jeff (Stacie); grandchildren, Zoey, Jada, Ava, Kyah, Calleigh, Emily, Alex and Riley; sisters, Bonnie Price, Betty Belmore (Bill Stevenson), Kathy Didkowsky (John); sister-in-law, Gail Belmore; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by sisters, Shirley-Dale Easley and Dianne Englund; and brother, Roddy Belmore.
Above all, Glenda was the most caring and loving person put on this earth; a moral guiding light for her family and friends. She played a role in instilling her love of life, learning, compassion, sense of honesty and fairness to all. She will be missed by so many but her legacy of goodness and kindness will continue on in the many people who knew and loved her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 8th from 1-4 p.m. in Station House at the Wellington Firehall (4132 Highway 2, Wellington, NS).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Icelandic Memorial Society of Nova Scotia www.novascotiaicelanders.ca
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