Obituary of Ruth Eleanor Covey

COVEY, Ruth “Eleanor”- Age 93 of Seabright, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ruth “Eleanor” Covey on January 28th, 2025, at the QEII Halifax Infirmary Site. She was born November 15, 1931, on her parent’s farm in Seabright, Nova Scotia. The youngest of five children, she learned the value of hard work by helping her parents, the late Lawson and Jennie (MacLachlan) Boutilier maintain the family farm in their senior years.  In 1956 she married the local grocer, Jimmie (James Arthur) Covey and they began to build a loving life together.  They had two daughters, Linda Burrows and Louise (John) Hawkins. Later, grandchildren came along, Jonathan and Christopher (Kara) Burrows and Liam (Lauren Wu), Grant (Deirdre Campbell) and Ellen (Justin Di Girolamo) Hawkins. Most recently, she was a proud great-grandmother of four: Lincoln and Layton Burrows, Darian Seward, and Alissa Burrows. In any conversation, she was quick to update with stories of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her love and pride in them always shining through.

Once her daughters grew up, Eleanor went to work at Nautel, where her precision and attention to detail earned her the position of electronics inspector.  She retired in 1996, filling many days of her retirement years tending to her flower gardens and her property.  Until very recently, she could often be seen out mowing her lawn and maintaining a beautiful landscape.   

Above all, Eleanor dedicated her life to the caring of others. Through each phase of her life, she tended to those around her with dedication and love - her aging parents, her siblings, her husband, her daughters and their friends, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Her dedication to bringing family together over delicious meals to celebrate birthdays and holidays has set a deep-rooted tradition in the family to gather and celebrate each other.  Into her eighties she was still looking after her great-grandchildren, even having them for sleepovers. For all of the children through the generations, she always had special treats on hand, making visits to her house memorable.  In sickness and end-of-life care, she was always there to watch over loved ones to comfort and tend to their every need.  For many years, she assisted her older sister Virginia, who was able to live in her own home until age 102 because of Eleanor’s daily care.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Mildred (Hardiman/Bailly), Virginia, Warren, and Joyce (Burchell); husband, Jimmie (James Arthur) Covey; son-in-law, Bruce Burrows.  She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements and cremation have been entrusted to J. Albert Walker Funeral Home, Halifax. In keeping with Eleanor’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. A graveside service for family and friends will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to William Black United Church, Glen Margaret, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

We love you Grams and will continue to be inspired by your legacy.