OICKLE

It is with profound sadness that the family of Anita Marie Oickle (nee Emeneau) (94) announce her passing on Sunday February 23, 2025, at South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, NS.  

Anita was born in Medford, Massachusetts, USA and grew up in Upper LaHave, NS. She was married to Robert Gordon Oickle in 1949, and they raised their family in Rhodes Corner, Nova Scotia. Anita was the loving and kind mother to four children, Wendy (Peter) King of Dayspring, NS, Glen (Joan) of Barrie, ON, Marlene (David) MacFarlane of Hants Border, NS, Diane (James) Livingstone of Parkdale, NS. She was the proud grandmother to 6 grandchildren: Melinda Sutherland (Grant) (Barrie, ON), Jessica Lemieux (Chris) (Innisfil, ON), Geoffrey Livingstone (Tara) (Hammonds Plains, NS), Ian Livingstone, (Halifax, NS), Shaun MacFarlane, (Brampton, ON), Meaghan MacFarlane (Halifax, NS). She was also delighted to be the great-grandmother to Kale, Elle, Charlotte, Asher and Jack.

Anita was pre-deceased by her husband in 2005, and by her sisters Daisy Buonopane (Massachusetts), Betty Joudrey (Bridgewater) and brother Jimmy (Upper LaHave).  

Anita made many life-long friends during her brief time working at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax before marrying and moving to Rhodes Corner. She lived in Rhodes Corner most of her life until moving from the family home to Pine View apartments in Bridgewater in 2014. She resided there, making many friends, until the spring of 2024 when she moved to Harbour View Haven in Lunenburg until her passing.
Anita’s smiling face will be remembered by the many young children who attended Centre School where she worked for many years as a playground supervisor following the raising of her own children. She was very active in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Rhodes Corner and was a member of the church choir for over 50 years. She also was a member of the Ladies Aid group, taught Sunday School and served as Superintendent and on the Church Council for many years. She also was a long-serving member of the Dayspring and District Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Anita had a long-time passion for gardening, especially flowers, and tended the gardens at her home and at the Pine View Residence, sharing flowers and vegetables with the residents and friends. She was a very skilled seamstress who enjoyed making clothes for her family and friends and quilts for her grandchildren. She loved to knit and crochet and in recent years was known for the many pairs of children’s mittens that she donated to the Church. She and her husband, Gordon, loved their days of camping with friends and family at the many provincial parks and especially at Keji. She enjoyed learning Tai Chi and bicycling around the various parks they visited. Anita had a saying that needs to be repeated: “You get more with a smile than a frown.” She will always be remembered for her thoughtful kindness to others and for always thinking how she could make someone else’s day brighter. She was an outgoing and friendly person who was always ready to help others. For many years she acted as an advocate in various capacities for those in her life. Anita will be missed by all those who knew her.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213, Hwy 3, Lunenburg, NS. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 4th 2025 at 2 pm at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Rhodes Corner. Reception to follow at the St. Luke's Church Hall.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church , Rhodes Corner or a charity of your choice.