Obituary of Ida Louise Regan

Ida Louise Regan (nee Conrad) Was born October 22, 1920 and passed away June 20, 2010. Nan, as she was usually called, was the matriarch of the family. She was a career woman before there was such a thing (she was a human resources manager at Simpson’s/The Bay for 30 years). She was blunt but without causing offense (though she occasionally made us laugh hysterically with her candour). She liked her meat burnt to a crisp, and had a strong preference for beef ribs over pork. Her favourite colour was red in both her wardrobe and her politics (she said she never felt safer than when Trudeau was prime minister). She was very set in her ways in some ways, but remarkably open-minded in others. She made the best lobster chowder we have ever had (even if the cream is bad for us). She did not want any gifts she couldn’t eat or drink. She correctly guessed (or perhaps determined through sheer force of personality) the genders of each of her great grandchildren. She had Victorian manners. She did not remarry after the passing of her husband 35 years ago because, as she put it, “I never met another man as good as my George.” She travelled the world as few ever do, from Australia to China and back, but chose to spend her final years where she spent her first – in Cherry Hill, Lunenburg County. Nan was no-nonsense and there was never any question of who was in charge. Her passing was no exception. Two weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer, Nan clearly decided that enough was enough and passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was strong and sensible right to the end. Nan is survived and beloved by many, including her daughter Bonita Kirby; former son-in-law Hon. Michael Kirby; grandchildren Coleen, Bruce and Sean; and great grandchildren Clara, Ben, Scott, Connor and Laura. A sixth great grandchild is due in September and will be the poorer for never having known his Nanny. We could go on but Nan would not approve of us making a fuss. The service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Sweeny’s Funeral Home in Bridgewater. Burial will follow in the Mayflower Cemetery, Cherry Hill. The family requests that instead of flowers, donations be made to St. Paul's church in Cherry Hill. .