Rita Evelyn (Marks) Rankin

Florence

It is with mixed sadness and astonishment (we thought she would live forever) that we announce the death of our 99-year-old mother and grandmother, Rita Evelyn (Marks) Rankin.  Nanny loved to read a ‘good obituary’ so here we go…

Nanny passed away peacefully on the evening of July 1st, 2022, not surprisingly before the fireworks, as they were always scheduled ‘much too late for her’.  Nanny Rankin was born in Newfoundland a century ago and as a toddler remembered crossing the Cabot Strait aboard a ship. Since it was almost 100 years ago, we assume the ship was probably sailed by Cabot himself.

Nanny Rankin was the daughter of William and Loretta Marks (NFLD).  Evelyn decided to marry Ernest Earl Rankin (Pictou County) in 1943, after meeting him while he was stationed in Sydney Mines during the war. To convince his protective, future mother-in-law that the nuptials were a good idea, Earl presented Loretta, not Evelyn, with flowers and the rest is history.

They spent 50 delightful years together until he died in 1994. Poppy’s death was a heartbreaking loss for Nanny, but she did not hesitate to point out that it was very poorly timed as it regrettably coincided with her seasonal ‘housecleaning’. She eventually and thankfully forgave him for his inconvenient departure while the step ladder and her cleaning equipment were in the middle of the kitchen! After 28 years apart, we know he was happy to see her on Friday, and we suspect he greeted her with ‘It’s about time Eve!!’.

Nanny was fortunate to have fourteen siblings. Mary (Tom), Douglas, Sam (Detta), Russell (Vinnie), Bill (Helen), Chesley (Edna), Eliza (Mickey), Alex (Florence), Bertha (Arnold), George (Eleanor), Walter (Marty), Lionel (Ivy) and Gertrude (Charlie). 

Only one sibling remains today, her beloved sister and partner in cottage fun, Mrs. Edith Dicks (our wonderful Aunt Edie). Nanny Rankin was delighted to watch her numerous nieces and nephews grow and flourish with families of their own.  Nanny spent a great deal of time with her niece Christina, as they shared a love of the outdoors and cottage life.

Nanny Rankin had two children Sandra Boutilier (Alex) and Brenda Devoe (d. Adrian).  Her sons-in-law lovingly called her ‘Colonel’ because as she would so often remind them there was always ‘lots to do at the cottage’. 

Nanny had six grandchildren, Angela (Grahame), Earl (Alice), Connie, Allan (Sheila), Addie, and Benjamin (Jacklyn).  She made us all feel loved and cherished. The only thing in this world she loved more than her grandchildren were her great grandchildren Kenny, Brooklynn, Arlo, Lily, Rory, Sam, Georgia and Brayden. Nanny theorized that this generation was both smarter and cuter than their predecessors. Her quirky genetics theories remain untested but appear true as the great grandkids are all very cute.

NFLD born and Cape Breton raised meant that Nanny could literally do ANYTHING!!  If you needed an amazing meal or a pie, she could do it. Needed a floor refinished, she could do it. Needed to make Poppy wild with frequent wall papering plans, she could definitely do that.  Needed to bring a semi-frozen hamster back from the brink before the grandchildren found out – give her a cookie sheet, a tea towel, a preheated oven and with the skill of a ‘questionable veterinarian’, she could do that too!

Nanny lived her life in Florence but spent summers in Middle River. She loved to fish and did so into her 90s.  Nothing was better than finding the perfect, coveted fishing ‘hole’ along the river. Fishing licenses were considered optional as she planned to tell the fishing wardens that she ‘didn’t really catch much at her age’. We will neither confirm nor deny this claim.

Her innate generosity, devotion and kindness toward family and friends will be a lasting memory. We will also always remember her determination to make ‘night lunch’ a universal meal category. 

A sincere thank you to the team at Taigh Solas, who affectionately took care of our precious family matriarch over the past few years. Thank you to Dr. D. Kohlsmith, Dr. J. Salah and Northside Homemakers for their care and dedication.

You are invited to join the family as we celebrate Evelyn on Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 11am – 12 pm. In J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. A memorial prayer service will be held in the funeral home at 12 pm.

In lieu of donations, please generously give a child some ‘ice cream money’ in her memory. It was one of her favorite things to do.

We love you Nanny Rankin!!!!

Words of comfort may be forwarded to her family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com