Obituary of Elizabeth Rita Grant

Words cannot adequately express the heartbreak we feel over the loss of our mother Elizabeth (Betty) Grant (Maclellan) born November 2, 1932.  She was the loving wife of Joseph Grant of Afton, Antigonish, with whom she spent 55 years before his death in 2013.  She was a humble farm girl from Big Marsh, Antigonish, and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.  Her parents were John George MacLellan and Annie Kate MacLellan (Delaney).  She was the youngest girl in a family of 14.  Her siblings were Alec, Walter, Mary Ann, Eddie, Sally, Florence, Sr. Catherine, Georgina, Roddy, John R., Fr. Willie, Gertie, Chisholm, and Elizabeth.  She is survived by her 7 children: Joanne (George) Feniyanos, Katherine (Stephen) Coyle, Debbie (Mike)Hart, Darlene (David) Fiander, Donna, Josephine (Derek Wilke) and Daniel.  She was Grammy to grandchildren Nazha, Emile, Joanna, and Sylvanna Feniyanos; Jordan, Noah, and Jacob Coyle; Matthew, Michael, Nicholas, and Emma Hart;  Max, Hannah, William, Joseph, and David Fiander; Alexander Grant; Mark and Luke Fiander and Ben and Jake Wilke.  She also had 7 great-grandchildren: Samuel, Sadie, Charlotte, Michael, Cameron, Myla, and Alice.  Mom was the epitome of human kindness and resilience.  We are so grateful for every moment we spent with her, but it still wasn’t enough. We’re left with an emptiness that will never be filled.  She still lived in the family home which was the backdrop of so many special childhood memories and way beyond.  It was where the action was. Family was everything to her.  She was authentic before it became fashionable.  She had a strong sense of self.  Like our father, she had a remarkable work ethic and a solid moral compass.  She always said, “We were on the same page.” She lived her life with an incredible sense of gratitude.  She found joy in simple things like sitting around the table with a cup of tea and a biscuit followed by a fierce game of cards; rocking children, first her own, then her grandchildren; and making every holiday the most special.  How lucky we are to have someone who makes saying goodbye so hard.  Funeral service at Stella Maris Parish (formerly St. Michael’s), 6 St. Michael’s Ave., Wednesday, May 7, at 1:00 pm. There will be a reception following the service in the church hall.