Obituary of Nita Eileen Madill

MADILL, Nita Eileen – It is with deep sadness the family of Nita Madill, 88, share the news of the passing of their beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on Thursday, January 6, 2022.

Born on December 20, 1933, in Saint John, New Brunswick to Vera and Wendell Thorne, and married to Gordon Madill in May 1953, Nita was a loving mother and homemaker, raising her five children, first in Saint John, NB, then Chatham, NB, Sherbrook, QC, and Dartmouth, NS, finally settling on the South Shore in Bridgewater, where she lived for 53 years.  

Fun to be around, notable for her attentive and thoughtful personality, Nita found entertainment in reading biographies, attending performances at Neptune Theater in Halifax, following curling, and cruising the Caribbean. Sneaky good at cards, she was pleased as punch to win after-meal games. She liked to keep up with politics, knew the history of each candidate at the local and provincial level, and wouldn’t hesitate to share what she thought of them.

She enjoyed a stiff Jack Daniels and water, and Sunday lunch with lamb and mint jelly. Playing against stereotype, she liked to drive fast and did so on regular road trips with Gordon across the Maritimes before her older age kept her speedy adventures closer to home.

Her true happiness was always her family, adept at reporting what was happening with each member. She dutifully raised her five children, supportive and proud of their pursuits and interests. She unconditionally adored her grandchildren, always greeting them with great bear hugs and a big smile when they came to visit. She often took the time to handwrite congratulatory letters, slipped them spending money on the sly, and always remembered birthdays and Christmas.

To Nita, keeping bellies full was a sign of her love, and she rarely missed putting a feast on the table no matter the number of guests, offering up a veritable buffet of food choices. She kept her fridge and freezer stocked with seemingly limitless treats, always on the ready.

Nita’s joy and care for others will long be remembered, traits she passed along to her five loving children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Nita is predeceased by her steadfast husband of 68 years, Gordon, son Dale, and siblings Lew and Rita Wright, Wendell, Ronald, Cyril and Douglas Thorne. Survived by sons, David (Lorraine), Sydney; Dean (Trudy), Black Point; daughters, Crystal (Paul), Auburndale; Cathy (Steve), San Antonio, TX; daughter-in-law, Christine; grandsons, Johnston, Houston, TX; Alexander, Matthew, and Benjamin, Halifax; granddaughters, Jessica (Erik), Houston, TX; Stephanie (Warren), Hailey (Christopher), Sydney; Nicole, Fredericton, NB; great-grandchildren, Caroline, Henry, and Kenneth, Houston, TX, Samuel, Sydney, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Nita’s family wishes to acknowledge and sincerely thank the staff of Rosedale for their compassionate care. A private family service is being held at Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 35 York Street, Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rosedale Home for Special Care, New Germany. On-line condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.

Nita was a loving, caring, and generous presence, the glue that kept her family connected. She will be deeply missed by all those who loved her.

“To die completely, a person must not only forget but be forgotten, and he who is not forgotten is not dead.” - Samuel Butler

TO JOIN THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE VIRTUALLY THROUGH LIVE-STREAMING, PLEASE COMPLETE THE TWO-STEP REGISTRATION PROCESS BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK:

REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL LIFE STREAM SERVICE FOR NITA MADILL