Obituary for Melda Anita Dunnet (Nightingale)
Melda Anita (Nightingale) Dunnet
It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at home in her 100th year.
Beloved wife of the late Gordon Dunnet; cherished mother of Tammy, David and Janet; much-loved mother-in-law of Pat Moore, Cindy Dunnet and Robert Purdy; treasured Nana of the late Freddie Sagel, Tiffany Sagel (Ryan Matthiesen), Kelly Moore (Peter Guay), Becky Moore (Jake Jeffries), Matthew Dunnet (Jenny Querney), Caroline (Dunnet) Libis (Mike Libis), Alex Purdy and Becky Purdy (Nathan Thomas); cherished Grand Nana of Aria, Liam, Charlotte and Isabelle Matthiesen, Theo, Clare and Oliver Guay, Jasper Jeffries, Rory Dunnet, and Maddy and Emma Thomas; devoted sister of Phyllis, Audrey and Laurie Nightingale (Marie), who predeceased her, and Thalia Delano (Howard deceased); dearly loved by her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Melda was a remarkable woman who touched the hearts of all who knew her. She could recall every detail of her life until the day she died.
She was the daughter of Grace and Frank Nightingale. Born and and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Melda worked in the Canadian Red Cross Corps during the Second World War transporting injured servicemen by ambulance and driving supply and canteen trucks.
In 1945, she married Gordon Dunnet who served in the Royal Canadian Navy before entering law school. Theirs was a close and loving relationship for 51 years.
Early in their marriage, they moved to Rio de Janeiro where Gordon was corporate counsel for Brazilian Traction Light and Power Company.
When they returned to Canada, Melda seized every opportunity to return to her beloved Maritimes - from Christmases with her family in the early years to summers at the cottage in Hubbards.
Melda ensured that piano, figure skating and a university education were a large part of her children’s lives and she was immensely proud of their lifelong accomplishments.
Holidays with family were everything to her and every special event was celebrated at her house. Her heartfelt thank you notes were legendary.
Her family was her life. She made a career out of mothering, not only her own children and grandchildren, but also her nieces and nephews and their children, and they all loved her for it.
Her grace, powerful inner strength, and positive outlook on life were part of her. No matter what the obstacle, she always said, “We can make it work.”
Coming home, or just talking on the phone, we could always depend on the fact that we were wanted, missed, welcomed, and really loved by someone who knew and understood us.
We are grateful for her long life, for her willingness to put our needs before her own, for the wise advice she gave us, and for her love, devotion, loyalty and commitment.
A private family funeral in celebration of Melda’s life will take place on Monday, December 12, 2022. Interment at Springcreek Cemetery, Mississauga, Ontario.
Remembrances may be made to the Canadian Juvenile Diabetes Association or to the charity of your choice.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at home in her 100th year.
Beloved wife of the late Gordon Dunnet; cherished mother of Tammy, David and Janet; much-loved mother-in-law of Pat Moore, Cindy Dunnet and Robert Purdy; treasured Nana of the late Freddie Sagel, Tiffany Sagel (Ryan Matthiesen), Kelly Moore (Peter Guay), Becky Moore (Jake Jeffries), Matthew Dunnet (Jenny Querney), Caroline (Dunnet) Libis (Mike Libis), Alex Purdy and Becky Purdy (Nathan Thomas); cherished Grand Nana of Aria, Liam, Charlotte and Isabelle Matthiesen, Theo, Clare and Oliver Guay, Jasper Jeffries, Rory Dunnet, and Maddy and Emma Thomas; devoted sister of Phyllis, Audrey and Laurie Nightingale (Marie), who predeceased her, and Thalia Delano (Howard deceased); dearly loved by her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Melda was a remarkable woman who touched the hearts of all who knew her. She could recall every detail of her life until the day she died.
She was the daughter of Grace and Frank Nightingale. Born and and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Melda worked in the Canadian Red Cross Corps during the Second World War transporting injured servicemen by ambulance and driving supply and canteen trucks.
In 1945, she married Gordon Dunnet who served in the Royal Canadian Navy before entering law school. Theirs was a close and loving relationship for 51 years.
Early in their marriage, they moved to Rio de Janeiro where Gordon was corporate counsel for Brazilian Traction Light and Power Company.
When they returned to Canada, Melda seized every opportunity to return to her beloved Maritimes - from Christmases with her family in the early years to summers at the cottage in Hubbards.
Melda ensured that piano, figure skating and a university education were a large part of her children’s lives and she was immensely proud of their lifelong accomplishments.
Holidays with family were everything to her and every special event was celebrated at her house. Her heartfelt thank you notes were legendary.
Her family was her life. She made a career out of mothering, not only her own children and grandchildren, but also her nieces and nephews and their children, and they all loved her for it.
Her grace, powerful inner strength, and positive outlook on life were part of her. No matter what the obstacle, she always said, “We can make it work.”
Coming home, or just talking on the phone, we could always depend on the fact that we were wanted, missed, welcomed, and really loved by someone who knew and understood us.
We are grateful for her long life, for her willingness to put our needs before her own, for the wise advice she gave us, and for her love, devotion, loyalty and commitment.
A private family funeral in celebration of Melda’s life will take place on Monday, December 12, 2022. Interment at Springcreek Cemetery, Mississauga, Ontario.
Remembrances may be made to the Canadian Juvenile Diabetes Association or to the charity of your choice.