It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our Mom, Heather Dunbar, on Saturday 23 May.  She was the only child of Susan Stewart (Susie) and grew up in Westville, NS amongst a large extended family. She was devoted to her grandparents, Edna (MacLeod) and Dan Lauchie Stewart.

Mom married the love of her life, Gerald R. Dunbar (Jud), in July 1960. They lived in Abercrombie and Westville before moving to New Brunswick and settling in Minto.  Dad passed away, much too young, in 1976 but Mom stayed on in Minto for four decades.  She was an enthusiastic contributor to many community initiatives, local politics and an active member of Trinity United Church.  Determined and exacting, she was a force to be reckoned with when she set her mind to something. She worked for the Dept. of Social Services in Minto for many years and was respected and admired by colleagues and clients alike.

Mom was a talented writer and a marvelous cook with, literally, bags of recipes. She loved to experiment in the kitchen and our lunch boxes were the envy of our classmates.  She loved to entertain and celebrations were memorable. Nobody did Christmas like our Mom did Christmas. These are some of the best memories.   She was very proud of her Scottish heritage and fondly remembered her days as pipe major of the Dunvegan Girls Pipe Band, highlighted by her participation in the March of the Hundred Pipers that opened the Canso Causeway in 1955.

Above all, she was caring and generous. She loved her family.  She was a loyal friend and the door at Lake Drive was always open. There are no words to express her delight at becoming a grandmother and that joy stayed with her to the end. So did her dry, well-observed humour.  She was grateful for the care and support she received in recent years from family, friends and neighbors. Our sincere thanks go out to all of you, as well as to staff from the Upper River Valley Hospital, Riverside Court, the Woodstock Red Cross and the NB Extra-Mural program.

Despite living in New Brunswick for 52 years, Mom held onto her Nova Scotia roots and considered Pictou County her home.   She'll be going "down home" one more time.    Due to these troubled times,  we will not be able to have formal visitation or services in either Minto or Nova Scotia but we ask all her friends and family to put the kettle on,  make a cup of tea and bake something for a neighbor.   Tell them it's in memory of Heather.

Unique and original in every way, we will remember her frequently and fondly.

Jay,Sean, Suzanne and Calum