Mary Alvena (Sis) Poole (nee Burchell)

Born in Sydney Mines, NS on Jan 23, 1938, to the late Cyril and Alvena (Landry) Burchell, Alvena passed away peacefully on Divine Mercy Sunday April 12, 2026.

Known as the heartbeat of the Nova Scotia film industry, and proud Cape Bretoner, Mama Alvena was loved by friends, neighbours and especially her big family, who will miss her dearly. Sis filled the room with stories and always asked how you are, and if you say you liked her shirt or purse, she would give it to you!

Alvena’s gift for humour, creativity, storytelling, and love, served her well in her long and varied career, from directing her first play at Regina Little Theatre, playing Mrs Claus at the mall for the kids, all those shocking blue words… suckamuckatoohoo!

Growing up in North Sydney, she laid eyes on a merchant marine and said, “I’m marrying him”, and followed her prized husband Ray, with a few kids added along the way, from Halifax to Toronto, Regina, Sydney Mines, Mississauga and back to Halifax. She read children’s stories on the radio and cable TV in Regina, retired from Anatomical Pathology in Halifax, and had many, many roles in TV, film, and commercials, including Moonshine, Street Cents, Margarets Museum, Trailer Park Boys, and most recently Dancing on the Elephant and Roll With It. She loved every minute and was thrilled to be asked to join the fun.

Sis treated every stranger as a friend, and every friend as family. She loved taking the long way with her husband to the lake, the Blue Jays, the never missed a day phone call from her granddaughter Kayla, and all the hugs from her family and friends.

Predeceased by her husband, Raymond; sisters, Yvonne, Carol; brothers, Ray, Alan (Henny).

She leaves behind her five children, Raylene (Charlie), Carole (Dave), Brent (Sherry), Jeannie (Ken), Chris (Angela); her siblings, Cyril (Anne), Peter (Gina), Joannie (Jimmy), Theresa (Jinx); ten grandchildren, Kristy, Michael, Randalene, Justin, Brandon, Megan, Ashley, Brady, Kayla, Jordan; and five great grandchildren, Mariah, Tori-Lynn, Henry, Charlie, John.

There will be a Celebration of Life Love and Laughter planned in the near future. “They can come in and out my back door like they always did” (TPB)

“God Bless. Don’t fall. Love you.”