KYDD

It is with deep sadness and immense gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of a remarkable woman whose spirit, energy, and love touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. 

On May 26, 2026, Pamela Marie Kydd passed away peacefully at her home in Hebbville, NS, surrounded by family on a warm, calm evening, while listening to a loud chorus of spring peepers singing her favourite song. Pam died at age 69, after losing her never waning fight against cancer; she is gone long before she should have left.

Pam was born in Woodstock, NB, on May 30, 1956, the eldest child of Waldo Earl and Doreen Marie (Martin) Shaw. During her foundational years in New Brunswick, Pam nurtured her budding interests in areas that stayed with her for the rest of her life: cooking for younger brother, Marty, while helping fill the void when her parents were working late; gardening with her mother and grandmother; and travelling to Grand Falls to spend many weekends and summer weeks with her grandmother. As a young teenager, Pam also began a life-long love of caretaking and volunteerism, spending time at a school for children with disabilities, where she shared her passion for arts and crafts. Although physical stature and athleticism were not necessarily her strong suits, Pam didn’t want to squander her endless energy, so she also took to cheerleading to use her enthusiasm to encourage her classmates on all the high school sports teams.

Although Pam loved Woodstock, she moved to Halifax to attend the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in 1974, graduating as a laboratory technologist, in 1976.

In Halifax, a chance meeting during a dance at Dalhousie University changed everything. During the dance, she met Rick Kydd, who so clearly had her same passion for dancing, despite a visible lack of skills and limited variety of moves. The shared passion for dancing was just the beginning. Pam and Rick married in 1978 and moved to Bridgewater after Rick graduated from medical school, in 1980.

In 1982 and 1984, Pam and Rick had two sons, Jeffrey and Peter. Pam was a devoted mother, ensuring the boys had everything they needed during all periods of their lives, from infants to greying men. She spent much of their youth supporting their needs and interests through her volunteering, from parent teacher associations and fundraising events for endless school campaigns, to supporting their many sports teams, chiefly the Bridgewater Barracudas. She was immensely proud of the boys as they grew up, even while they tested her patience and argued everything between the ages of twelve and eighteen. Following that exhausting period, she stayed constantly engaged in their lives as they left home for university, developed careers and started their own families. Recently, she revelled in the fact that her grandchildren Chloé, Lorna, Westley and Théo are starting to push Jeffrey and Peter’s buttons, just as they pushed hers. Pam loved her family immensely, and being with her grandchildren was one of her greatest joys. She was a devoted Grammie who sought to make each of them feel special and loved, just as they are.

Pam was an endlessly creative individual, which showed in her entrepreneurial passions, while getting dirty in the garden, and all things crafting. She was especially talented in designing flower displays and gifts for the “Occasional Basket” and creating artistic jewelry and original felted items for “Kydd’s Play”. Pam was a talented cook and embraced new challenges in the kitchen but was a truly devoted lover of all things chocolate and never missed an opportunity to enjoy or share a favourite sweet treat. Pam also had a passion for reading and could often be found immersed in a good book or debating the merits of one with her book club…all while likely enjoying a piece of chocolate.

She was probably most comfortable and happy while nurturing the beauty of the family property as the talented head gardener. She always took pride in watching the garden grow and mature from season to season, and year to year. Her garden also gave her a chance to express her vibrant personality through colour; she especially loved bright shades (red in particular) that reflected the way she lived her life: with optimism, enthusiasm, and joy.

Pam was always open to embrace new experiences and adventures, which often guided her ambitions to travel as well. She of course ventured to whatever part of the country her children and grandchildren were living, but also to Salt Spring Island for felting courses, Italy for cooking classes, France and England for garden tours, and throughout the US to visit friends and loved ones. 

Over the last few years, her loving partner, Rob, and her shared a special long-distance relationship, which meant so much to her. They often travelled to visit one another and went on trips together with their many mutual friends. Naturally, regardless of where and with whom, Pam always found chocolate during travel, and only on the rare occasion would she pass up the opportunity to indulge and probably regretted every missed opportunity…especially when she opted for the disastrous bike ride instead of the Lindt Chocolate Museum.

A dedicated community supporter, Pam worked tirelessly to advance initiatives that strengthened and enriched the lives of others. She believed deeply in the power of community and generously gave her time, energy, and talents to causes she cared about. Many of her efforts focused on helping through the Canadian Red Cross – Bridgewater Branch, South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society, and the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society of Canada, always leaving a lasting impact on many people and organizations.

Perhaps some of her most remarkable qualities were the grace, courage, positivity, strength and optimism she demonstrated during both her husband’s fight against cancer, but also during her own battle. She was endlessly positive, steadfastly dedicated, and profoundly strong in her support during Rick’s illness, never leaving his side from the beginning to the end. Despite having gone through the pain and heartache of the first fight, Pam continued to be fiercely courageous and beautifully graceful in her own battle against cancer. Even on her most difficult days, she continued to put the comfort and needs of others ahead of her own and always found something positive to focus on. Her resilience, gratitude and unwavering optimism inspired everyone around her and serve as a powerful example of how to face adversity with dignity, strength, and hope.

Pam was wife of 42 years to the love of her life, Richard, prior to his death in 2020; loving partner to Robert Thomas, Rice Point, PEI; devoted mother to sons, Jeffrey (Sarah), Courtenay, BC and Peter (Lilianne), Hammonds Plains, NS; and loving grandmother to adored grandchildren Lorna, Westley, Chloé and Théo. Pam will also be missed by her mother, Doreen Shaw, Woodstock, NB, brother Marty (Andrea), Woodstock, NB, brother-in-law Allan (Sandy), Riverview, NB, sister-in-law Susan (Martin), Moncton, NB, many nieces, nephews, cousins and all those who knew her.

Pam was predeceased by her husband, Richard, father, Waldo, and parents-in-law, Bill and Peggy.

The family would like to thank all the healthcare professionals that cared for Pam during her two-year battle. Specifically, the doctors, nurses, technicians and volunteers at the South Shore Regional Hospital, the compassionate and empathetic Palliative Care team (Dr. Gibson and Paula), Jeremy at Cornerstone Naturopathic, the wonderful nurses at VON, and the meticulous pharmacists at Guardian Pharmacy. A special thank you also goes to Pam’s amazing, supportive group of girlfriends that surrounded her with endless love, care, and company during her final few months.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pam’s memory can be made to the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society (South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society - Palliative Care Society.). The family also continues to encourage everyone to donate blood and other blood products, to help those in their fight against blood-based cancers (www.blood.ca).

A private celebration of Pam’s life will take place at a location and on a date yet to be determined.

Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater, where online condolences may be left at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com