- Early on the morning of October 9 at Northwood Center, Phyllis Mae (Westbury) Maybee left us to catch up with her good soldier, Gordon Maybee, who went on ahead last February and promised to meet her at the station. Daughter of Arthur William Westbury and Ellen W Maclean, Phyllis was born December 1, 1914 in Truro. Class valedictorian at the Normal School, her first teaching post was in West Dover, where the salary was $300 for the year. She transferred back to Bible Hill just as World War II was beginning. Phyllis learned to drive ambulances and offered her piano skills at the Red Cross dances. There she met her Irish Regiment officer from Ontario, station briefly at Camp Debert. They were married June 27, 1942 and soon he was overseas. At the war's end, they went to Fredericton where Phyllis ran a small grocery store to help Gordon earn his Forestry degree at UNB. Back in Nova Scotia with two children, she returned to teaching and inspiring students of all ages for 35 years, not only in the school system. As a volunteer she helped new Dutch immigrants learn English, and worked with special needs children during their post-retirement days in Florida. Her innovative work as a professor of mathematics at the Nova Scotia Teachers College helped improve math methods all over the province. When Gordon's work shifted to Halifax in the mid 1960's, Phyllis took on another challenge, teaching primary at the School for the Blind. The overarching theme of Phyllis Maybee's life was one of respect and concert for the earth and all it's people. From early years as a Young People's leader, she was always involved with church activities: CGIT, Sunday School, UCW, Bible study, Berwick amp. A prolific script and letter-writer, she was involved in many social justice campaigns and was quick to let politicians know if they fell below standards of fairness and truth. She always served with the Consumers Association of Canada.
A painter, gardener, creative seamstress, baker of cookies for new neighbours or shut-ins or eager ones, birdwatcher, lover of nature (even snakes!), Phyllis showed her children and her many pupils loving ways to honour the environment and each other. Phyllis is survived by daughter, Janet (Sheet Harbour Passage); son, Ross and his wife, Donna (Halifax); five grandchildren; a great-grandson; brother-in-law, Douglas Maybee (Elizabeth); and sister-in-law, Hazel Parks (Truro); brothers-in-law, Lloyd and Keith Maybee in Ontario. Family and friends are invited to gather for a memorial at Erskine United Church, Glenholme on Friday, October 16 at 11 a.m., followed by reception and nourishment in the hall. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Colchester Community Funeral home; there is no visitation by Phyllis's request. Though she loved flowers, she would be perturbed if anyone spent money on them instead of perhaps giving a donation to Erskine United, to Berwick Camp, to Amnesty International or any good works ongoing to raise the spirit. Her spirits and those of her grateful family, have been raised and sustained by the generous care given to her on 8 Centre. All the staff deserve our deep thanks and praise; in particular, the support of Nurse Practitioner Cathy Misener, Dr. Cathryne Meehan, Kathy Baker (LPN and the hospice team has been invaluable. Blessings!
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- Gordon R. Maybee, 1915-2009. Lulu Belle (Thompson) and Carleton H. Maybee have opened their arms to welcome their eldest son, Gordon to their eternal home upon completion of his 93 year-long earthly tour of duty. Gordon was a fully active resident of the Veteran's Memorial Building in Halifax until four days before his passing there on February 9, 2009. Gordon was a man who strove to achieve a lifetime balance in his commitment to his family, his country, his faith and his community. Born in Perth, Ont., on September 4, 1915, Gordon graduated from Sydenham High School and worked for a time with the T. Eaton Company in Toronto. Always up for adventure, he and Cousin Joe worked their way to Europe on a cattle boat, bought bicycles and explored in times of innocence. When war broke out in Europe the year after, he rushed to enlist in the Canadian Army, and crossed the Atlantic once again as a proud member of the Irish Regiment of Canada. Rising to the rank of Captain, Gordon led his men on tours of duty from the mountains of Italy to the final liberation of Holland in May of 1945. A training session at Camp Debert gave Gordon the opportunity to meet a young volunteer ambulance-driving, piano-playing teacher from Shubenacadie named Phyllis Westbury, whom he married on June 27, 1942, and who senses his loss today at Northwood Center, Halifax, after 66 years of marriage. At the Second World War's end, Gordon persevered through several years as a mature student, with Phyllis and young daughter Janet at his side, eventually graduating from the University of New Brunswick in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. He then commenced a career with the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forests and eventually retired as Director of Operations in 1976. He will be remembered for his groundbreaking work in Crown Lands management, the development of sound silviculture practices, encouraging woodlot owners to grow Christmas trees as a cash crop and the development of much of the early Provincial Park infrastructure. Moving with Phyllis to their retirement home on Hardwood Hill in Lower Debert, Gordon continued his involvement with his love of the forest as Education Officer with the Nova Scotia Forestry Association, speaking in schools, organizing poster contests and giving guided tours on the nature trail he created on his property. Gordon was still in command on Hardwood Hill until well after his 90th birthday. Phyllis and he were blessed with many years of healthy retirement, both in Nova Scotia and in Lakeland, Fla. Together, they fulfilled many dreams as they were able to travel extensively, from cruising the Rideau Canal to motoring through the Scottish Highlands. Perhaps the high point of their travels came in 1985 when they were invited to participate in the 40th anniversary celebrations commemorating the Liberation of Holland. In 1991 Gordon represented his Regiment at commemorative ceremonies in Ortona, Italy. Gordon always found time to give back to his church and his community. A lifelong adherent of the United Church of Canada, he held many positions on executive boards, acted as a teacher and superintendent of Sunday School, and devoted many years as registrar for the annual Berwick United Church Camp. He was very active in various capacities with the Boy Scouts of Canada, both as a leader in the cub and scout programs, and as a participant on District and Provincial Councils, a long-time involvement that earned him Scouting's prestigious Medal of Merit. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Debert Military Museum, and served as a volunteer guide for many years. Gordon was a member of the Great Village Legion as well as the DGM men's club; believing in the vital importance of the Legion's legacy, he coached teams of young students to championships in the Call to Remembrance program. Even in his adopted winter home in Lakeland, Gordon volunteered his "baby cuddling" talents at the local Children's Hospital. Gordon still found time for his recreational passions of sailing, golfing and fly-casting from his trusty canoe on quiet mornings. Always an innovator, Gordon established the first commercially viable low-bush blueberry growers cooperative in Colchester County in the late 1950's. In addition to life partner Phyllis, Gordon is survived by daughter, Janet, Sheet Harbour; son, Ross (Donna), Halifax; grandchildren, Tracy, Ottawa; Tracie, Kentville; Gordon, Graeme, Halifax; Ellen, Lower Debert and great-grandson, Carleton, Kentville; sister, Hazel and brothers, Doug, Truro; Lloyd and Keith, Ontario, numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place under the care of Colchester Community Funeral Home, Truro. By Gordon's request, there will be no visitation or memorial service. A graveside service in Glenholme will be arranged some sunny spring day. Gordon would like to have any donations in his memory directed to continue the work of the Debert Military Museum or the Bass River Veteran's Memorial Garden. He and his family owe sincere gratitude to the staff at VMB (V6E) for their loving care and kindness.
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(1 Jun 1943 OR 15 Jun 1943) -
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