Obituary of M. Judith Mader

September 4^th, 2025 marked the passing of an exceptional person. Over her 104 years, Mary “Judith” (deLong) Mader of Barss Corner, Nova Scotia, amassed a huge number of family and friends. She was born June 12,1921 to Fred and Ethel (Hirtle) deLong and happily lived the majority of her years in the same community. Her last 8 years were spent in Halifax.

She was predeceased by her husband, John and her brothers, Carmen, George and Fred as well as daughter-in-law, Rosemary (Peter).

She is survived by her children: Nancy (Scot) Jennings, John (Geraldine), Peggy (Glenn) Taylor, Mary (Charles) Lantz, Peter (Sandra), Neil (Connie) and Melanie Mader. She is also survived by grandchildren, Lee Murphy, Erin Jennings (Kang Dong Woo) and Alex (Crystal) Mader and Andrew Mader (Shannon Mosher), Jillian (John) Achenbach and Colin (Jennifer) Taylor, Graham Lantz and Mark (Laura) Lantz, Kent (Sarah) Mader and Lucas Mader. Great grandchildren include Jana and Cameron Murphy, Ethan, Taylor, Claire and Logan Mader, Rebecca and Elodie Achenbach, Kang Jin (Nico) and Kang Mira, Alanna and Monica Lantz, Noah and Henry Lantz. She has one surviving cousin, Muriel Webber, Bridgewater and numerous nieces and nephews.

Judith attended a one room schoolhouse (with 11 grades and as many as 60 students with one teacher!) for her early education and moved to Bridgewater to complete her grade 12. She took voice lessons from Mrs. B.G. Oxner in Lunenburg and later went on to study Voice and Secretarial Science at Mount Allison University. She moved to Montreal where she worked for CIL Company, Cellophane Division for two years during World War II. There she sang in the Elgar Choir and the West Montreal Light Opera Society and was a paid vocalist in the St. Andrew and St. Paul Presbyterian Church. After the war she returned home to country life where she married and started a family. If bringing up seven children was not enough, she helped in the family general store, joined the Women’s Institute (life member), the Baptist Ladies Auxiliary (Life Member), taught adult Sunday School and directed adult and youth choirs in the church for over 25 years. She was often called upon to sing solos and claimed she sang at over 30 weddings and in 35 different churches! Hitting a High “C” was effortless in her heyday. In addition, she took part in the Bridgewater Hospital Chorus and Drama Society and the South Shore Chorale. Her most memorable roles were as the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz and as Marilla in Anne of Green Gables. Marilla’s solo to Matthew visibly brought people to tears.

Judith was happiest when in her kitchen or garden. Her white, brown and raisin breads all won prizes and were always eagerly devoured. Feeding a family of nine, a mother-in-law and often the hired help was no mean feat.

People often slowed to admire her beautiful flower gardens as they drove by. Her green thumb extended indoors with a huge display of African violets, some of which she nurtured and repotted even through her years in Maplestone Enhanced Care Facility.  She was to be envied for her organizational skills. Her scrapbooks, her memoirs, her recipes and even her clothesline were perfectly arranged. She loved her clothes to be coordinated and the need for new clothes, hats and shoes necessitated seasonal shopping trips to Bridgewater or Lunenburg. 

If you knew Judith, she was sure to know you by name and know details about you because she took particular interest in everyone she met. What’s more, she had a remarkable memory for detail.  People from near and far would often seek her out to give them clues about their family genealogy. She kept friends for life and her childhood friend Hazel, and husband Bob Danson became best friends, travel mates and cottage neighbours. A special bond also developed between the Mader family and the Rhodenizer family (Bob and Marlean) who lived next door. Having a local general store meant that you were connected, one way or another, with many people in the surrounding communities. There were usually fewer than 6 degrees of separation between her and anyone she met.

When asked for any parting words of wisdom she quoted her father: “If you say you are going to do something….do it!” And when asked what she attributed to living such a long life, she replied, ”LOVE”.

Her final years were clouded with pain which she bore with dignity and resilience. Many tributes should be showered on the staff of Parkland’s Bradford Hall and the Maplestone Enhanced Care Facility in Halifax for their care and compassion.

Vistation will take place on Thursday, September 18^th from 6 - 8 p.m., at Sweeny’s Funeral Home, #4895 Highway 10, New Germany. Her funeral service will be held at the Barss Corner Baptist Church, 907 Barss Corner Road on Saturday, September 20 at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at a later date.

Family flowers only. Charitable donations may be made in Judith’s memory to the Barss Corner Community Cemetery, through Sweeny’s Funeral Home or c/o Michele Beck, 1537 Barss Corner Road, Barss Corner, NS  B0R 1A0 (for electronic payments use mm.beck@ns.sympatico.ca)