Bessie Lynch passed away at the age of 96 on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the Halifax Infirmary after a brief illness due to declining health. Bessie resided on the 6th floor at Washmill Lake Drive in Halifax since August 2013. She was very appreciative of all the staff at Precision Health and to be in the company of residents that she thought of as good friends. Bessie was a sweet and kind soul who had a very strong faith and was comforted by God and all of his creations. She said that her strength came from God and she accredited God for giving her a long and healthy life.

Bessie was a proud Islander. She was born in Springton, Prince Edward Island on October 26, 1928, and she was the youngest and the last surviving member of seven children (Annie, Donald, Katie, Hughie, Florence and Donald A.) born to the late Allan Nicholson and Florrie K. MacDonald of Springton, PEI. Bessie had many fond memories of growing up on her family’s farm in PEI. She often talked about the hard work and long days that her father spent working on the farm with the horses, cattle, and other farm animals. She said that her mom was a hard worker as well and contributed a lot to the farm life and with raising her and her siblings. Her brother Hughie had taken over the farm when her father passed in 1964. Hughie eventually sold the farm, and he and his wife built a new home near the farm. Hughie had a number of harness racing horses that Bessie would often talk about. Bessie was close to her siblings, and her memories of their lives and deaths were always very vivid. Bessie was very saddened by her mother’s death in 1955 at the age of 66. She spoke of her mom as a hard-working woman who had suffered the losses of some of her children and that she was diagnosed with cancer and died very soon after the diagnosis.

Bessie went to Prince Edward Island from Nova Scotia to be with her mom during her brief illness. Bessie wished that she had more time with her mom, but that is very understandable as we all wish we could have this time, especially when we lose someone so dear and close to us. Bessie could describe the family farm in great detail. She said that it was a large property with a big house and many buildings for housing the animals and farm equipment. I had taken pictures of the farm, and the family burial plots in Springton to share with Bessie when I visited PEI. Bessie enjoyed seeing what the farm looked like, as well as pictures of the cemetery where her parents and some other family members were laid to rest. Bessie often said that it was ironic that the farm was bought at one point by the Oland family from Halifax as they were one of her former employers.

Bessie married Delbert J. Lynch (d.1984) on July 2, 1966, in West Chezzetcook. They had one son, Allan Josph Lynch (July 2, 1967 – Sept. 5, 1986). Bessie never got over the death of her son and missed him tremendously and thought about him every single day that she lived. Allan was always in Bessie’s heart and never far from her mind. She spoke of “Dear Allan” often and the many things that he had accomplished and the plans that he was making for his future during his short life of 19 years. She had lots of sadness in her heart and spoke often of her siblings and parents, but she also had a lot of love and treated everyone with respect and was always grateful for anything that was done for her and for the people who cared for her.

Bessie worked at numerous jobs after she moved to Halifax to be near her sister Annie. Bessie spoke fondly about her employers and the positions she held. Some of the employers were; Cossor (Canada) Limited where she worked on Mechanical and Electrical Assembly on numerous types of electronic equipment, the Olands family as a housekeeper and with the Department of National Defence, HMC Dockyard as a Clerk I. Bessie became a stay at home mom when she had her son, Allan in 1967. The title of mom gave Bessie a great sense of pride and she often talked about the attachment that a mother has with her children, even when they are no longer present.

Bessie had resided in Porter’s Lake and Dartmouth area before moving to Herring Cove with Sharecare Homes Inc. after she had had a fall and required assistance and was no longer able to reside on her own. Bessie was very independent and would walk and take the bus wherever she needed to go. She was also a keeper of many items and was meticulous about keeping track of things. In her later years, she would rely more on taxis or the staff at Precision Health to take her to the bank and to appointments, for which she was very appreciative.

Bessie told me that she never got a license to drive a car, but she could and did drive her father’s farm truck on the farm. Bessie’s son, Allan had obtained his driving licence, and he would drive her for a couple of years after her husband passed.

Bessie was fortunate to have wonderful friends who are residents at Precision Health. A few of the residents and staff had moved to Precision Health at the

same time did when Sharecare Homes Inc. no longer was in business. Bessie was content at her home in Washmill, and she loved the resident “cats”, Molly (Marlene’s cat) and Amigo who was Grace’s cat. The cats also loved Bessie, especially Amigo. Bessie would often remark of how beautiful God had marked Amigo with his beautiful white socks and grey tabby markings and Molly with her long black and white hair and long whiskers.

Bessie loved all animals. She and I would often talk about growing up on farms, even though mine was more of a hobby farm, but we both agreed that she and I would never make farmer’s wives as we both shared the love for all animals and knew what eventually would happen to the animals that were raised on the farm. Bessie had a special place in her heart for Pug dogs, as she had had a couple of them after she got married; Peppermint Paddy and Honeysuckle were the ones that she talked to me about. I would often send Bessie cards that contained pug dogs or pick up a stuffed pug and send it to Bessie to make her smile as she thought of her pugs.

Bessie will be missed by everyone who loved and cared for her; the residents and staff of Precision Health, her long-time friend, Brenda whom she shared many happy times, as well as her other long-time friends, Michelle and Peter. To know Bessie was to love Bessie.

Arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Beechville, NS. Interment will be conducted by Father Robert at St. Anslem’s Cemetery in West Chezzetcook on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm. Bessie will be laid to rest with her husband, Delbert and beside her son, Allan.

A celebration of life will be held at Washmill Lake Drive at a future date.

Brenda wishes to thank the residents and staff for their care of Bessie and to T.J. Tracey’s staff (Josh, Ann Marie, Michelle) and to Father Robert for your assistance in making Bessie’s final wish.

May Bessie rest in peace and may she be reunited with all of those who she missed deeply and who have gone before her.

God Bless and I love you, Bessie.