DOUGLAS, Henrietta Margaret
Published: March 16, 2022
North Sydney
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Henrietta Margaret Douglas, age 86, on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney, surrounded by family. Born in Pool's Cove, Newfoundland, Henrietta was the daughter of the late Gordon and Florence (Barnes) Williams. She worked for many years as a cook at the Notre Dame Convent in Sydney Mines. Family was central to Henrietta's life. She was a proud and devoted mother to her children and nothing but sweet and caring to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and of course she did plenty of cooking and baking for them over the years as well.

Henrietta is survived by her children, Larry (Joan), David (Brenda), Brian (Lisa), Steve (Cathie), Frank (Sandy), Janice McKearney (Mike), and Dennis (Susan); her brother Frank (Grace), her sister Helen Noel and her sister-in-law Ida Williams. She is further survived by her 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and even three great-great-grandchildren. Besides her parents, Henrietta was predeceased by her husband Curtis; her son in childhood, also named Curtis; her brothers, David and Vince (Laura) and Harold (Sadie); her sister Ethel Rogers (Joe); her daughter-in-law Lynn, and her brother-in-law Cyril Noel. The family would like to thank the kind staff at the Harbourstone facility for their compassion and care over the past three years.

Cremation has taken place. By request there will not be a service at present but a private family burial will follow at a later date in Pool's Cove, NL. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada. Arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Online condolences can be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary for Henrietta at www.wjdooley.com

FRANCIS, Nellie
Published: March 11, 2022
North Sydney
It is with heartfelt sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Nellie Isabella Francis, age 82, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at her home. Born in Port Aux Basques on Nov. 21, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Susanna (Strickland) Anderson. Family was everything to Nellie, and she loved taking care of them. She was an excellent homemaker who kept her house "spick and span", and always neat and tidy. She loved baking, knitting and watching game shows. She had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh.

She is survived by her three children, Glenn (Bernadette), Derek (Carol Ann), Sue Ann (Jason) Bernon; her daughter-in-law Sonja (Arthur George); her nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; her sisters, Grace Hancock, Dulcie Richards, Elsie Watts and Lydia Kettle. Besides her parents, Nellie was predeceased by her beloved husband Arthur and son Arthur George; her two brothers, Samuel and George Anderson. The family would like to express sincere thanks to the Northside Homemakers, VON and Dr. Peter Poulos for their assistance and support in the final stages of Nellie's journey.

There will be no visitation or service by request. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Liver Foundation. Arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com

STEELE, J. Catherine (Nee Thornhill)
Published: March 08, 2022
April 30, 1930 - March 6, 2022
Our beloved Catherine peacefully passed away in Kenny's Pond Retirement Residence, St. John's, N.L., on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Catherine was born in Grand Bank, N.L., the cherished wife of Harry Steele and daughter of the late Captain Arch and Ruth (Williams) Thornhill.Leaving to mourn her loss are her proud sons, Peter (Brenda), Rob and John (Darlene); grandchildren, Kate (Jeff Robb), Diana, Laura (Colin Kaiser), Hayley, Eric, Wyatt and Sofia; and great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Lauchlan Kaiser. Also survived by her sister, Florence (Thornhill) Dobson; and brother, Roland J. Thornhill (Bonnie); nephews, Barry and David Dobson, Christopher and Jeff Thornhill, Paul and Andrew Thornhill and Geoff Tulk. She was predeceased by her husband, Harry Steele; brother, Cyril Thornhill; sister-in-law, Sylvia (Mercer) Thornhill; sister-in-law, Audrey (Steele) Tulk; brother-in-law, Kenneth Tulk; and niece, Marguerite (Tulk) Leyte.

At age 10 Catherine's father gave her a gift that would change the course of her life forever. He surprised her with a piano he had purchased with a load of fish from one of his fishing trips on the Grand Banks. She began to take piano lessons and soon decided she wanted to be a music teacher. She was a gifted musician who also learned to play the violin by ear. Music was something that she would take with her throughout her life, saying that having music in your life was like having a good friend.She graduated from Mount Allision University Sackville, N.B. with her Music Degree and moved to St. John's, NL to teach at Prince of Wales Collegiate. She loved teaching and she loved the children, and often said that every child taught her something different. Her caring, nurturing personality and passion for music made her the perfect music teacher whom many children fondly remember to this day.

It was during this time that she met the love of her life - Harry. He was in the Navy and after a brief courtship, he left to go to sea and they didn't speak or see each other for a full year. When he arrived home they married on June 9, 1954 on Harry's birthday.Shortly after that time Harry was transferred to England and Catherine found herself living "overseas", a time in her life that she thoroughly enjoyed. They then moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where sons Peter and Robert were born, and although Catherine was enjoying being a Mom, she also began to get in to the real estate business by purchasing distressed properties, renovating them and then selling them, something she was quite good at. When Harry was then transferred to Washington, D.C., their son John was born, and soon the Mother of three boys was busy entertaining and hosting parties with military dignitaries and guests.

The next destination was back to their beloved province of Newfoundland, moving to Gander where Harry and Catherine purchased the Albatross Motel. Once again Catherine proved herself as a successful businesswoman as she helped transform the Albatross into a thriving hotel. Catherine was well-respected by staff and patrons, and always treated people with kindness and fairness.Catherine had a true gift for making everyone around her feel special, welcome and listened to. She was an extremely thoughtful person who did so much to help people, all the while quietly staying in the background. But she was a strong, determined, ambitious woman who was a fighter to the very end.She loved spending time with her "Kaegudeck Travellers" friend group whom she travelled all over the globe with, but found their most special trip right here in Newfoundland.

She treasured visits with her family, and she always made time for a good chat with those she loved and those whom she had just met. She was a smart dresser who had a true eye for fashion. During the last few years in Kenny's Pond she often shared stories, jokes and spread a lot of joy to residents and staff through her piano playing.Her compassion for all those who met her along her life's journey will never be forgotten. She was the epidemy of grace and the embodiment of goodness. She truly was a great woman who left a beautiful mark on this world.Special thanks are extended to the many people who provided care and friendship over the past four years while she was a resident at Kenny's Pond Retirement Community.

Services to honor the life of Catherine Steele will be held at a later date.Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Cathedral of St. John's the Baptist Music or Choral Scholarship Fund at: ourcathedral.ca/giving   Online condolences may be made at: carnells.com