Obituary of Elsie Etta Colp

Elsie Etta Colp Age 96, died peacefully at Hillside Pines Home for Special Care, Bridgewater, on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Elsie was the wife of the late Harris Colp and had lived on the family farm in Colpton, Lunenburg County, prior to moving to assisted living. Born in 1918, she was the daughter of the late Archibald and Violet (Haines) Colp. In the late summer of 1921, she survived cholera that claimed her older brother and sister. As a young woman, she worked as clerk in Roscoe Smith’s grocery store in nearby Pleasant River. She and Harris married in the summer of 1941. Over the next 61 ½ years, they welcomed five children and nine grandchildren into their family. Harris died at Christmas, 2002. They have eight great-grandchildren. A capable, quiet and loving wife and mother, Elsie accomplished much over her long life. She cared for the children while Harris served overseas in the Second World War and later ran the farm single-handed when he worked with Lands & Forests. For years, the community depended on her practical nursing knowledge when someone was ill. A skilled seamstress, she often made her own patterns and transformed old clothes into new for her children and much loved nieces and nephews. Elsie’s strong yet gentle hands created delicious dinners and beautiful birthday cakes. Even in later years, a wide assortment of freshly-baked pies perfumed her kitchen. Each grandchild had their own favorite food, certain to be on the table whenever they came to visit. For many years she served as Sunday School superintendent and secretary of Trinity United, the little church her great-grandmother Mary Ann had helped start in the early 1800s. Elsie is survived by daughters, Betty Anne McDorman (Larry), Fredericton; Annette Dawson, Lower Sackville; daughters-in-law, Lorraine Colp, Newcombville; Linda Colp, Lakeside; her brother, Arlyn Colp (Virginia), Colpton; grandchildren, Lawra Hanscomb (Darren), Fredericton; Adam McDorman (Gabriela Guevara), Germany; Natasha Freeman (Ian), Bridgewater; Galen Colp (Angie), Pine Grove; Amanda Richards (Greg), Timberlea; Kristopher Dawson (Tara Lasaga), Dartmouth; Amara Dawson, Dartmouth; Ryan Colp (Rebecca Golden), Halifax; Joshua McDorman (Kayleigh), Nebraska; great-grandchildren, Adriane and Claire Freeman, Charlie and Nicholas Hanscomb, George and Lily Dawson, Lyric Colp and Mason Richards. In addition to Harris, the love of her life, she was predeceased by two sons, Mervyn and David; a daughter, Patricia Gail; a son-in-law, Kenneth Dawson; two brothers, Eldon and Stanley; two sisters, Mildred and Ruby (Selig). Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Sunday in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. A Celebration of her life will be held 2 p.m., Monday, October 27, in Trinity United Church, Pleasant River. Rev. Carol Smith officiating. Family interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Pleasant River. Family flowers only, memorial donations to Trinity United Church would be appreciated by the family. On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com. “I love you Grammie. And will always carry you in my heart.” .