POTVIN-O'BRIEN

January 24, 1943 to December 5, 2024

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia Rose died suddenly of cardiac related causes.

Born in North Hammersmith, England (1943), Rose spent her early years in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. In 1967 she graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in economics. After graduation Rose worked at Cambrian College in Sudbury, and in Ireland for several years before moving to Ottawa, where she lived and worked for 30 years. She was a passionate supporter of public institutions, which was reflected in her work at Manpower and Immigration Canada, the Canadian Conference of the Arts, and at the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Council. She had a long-lasting friendship with Irene Spry, a leading Canadian academic and wife of Canadian cultural icon– Graham Spry, a key force in the founding of CBC. It was that friendship which led Rose to curate, edit and publish a book of personal letters and speeches by Mr. Spry.

In the early nineties Rose’s life change dramatically. She married Allan O’Brien and the two left Ottawa behind in pursuit of a new adventure. They landed in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia where they launched and operated a charming bed and breakfast – The Manse. Rose was the consummate back-of-house organiser while Allan was the Maître-D.  They were a dynamic team. The Manse was a hit, and Rose/Allan were beloved in Mahone Bay.

Rose hosted frequent parties for a wide circle of friends. Boat builders, junk-pickers, restaurateurs, professors and writers, everyone was invited to regular social events at The Manse (and later at the beach cottage in Southwest Port Mouton). Rose took great pride in serving specially prepared appetisers, drinks and if you were lucky – wonderful meals (she was especially proud of her four-cheese mac and cheese and beef wellington).

Rose had a close and caring circle of friends in Mahone Bay and beyond. She organised scrabble and canasta games and was a long-time volunteer supporter of various Mahone Bay events such as the annual Scarecrow and Father Christmas Festivals. And then there were the trips to Paris. She loved Paris… the restaurants, the museums, the fashion and … the French.

Rose was a force. She will be especially remembered for her strong will and strong opinions. She was unafraid to “tell it like she saw it”. Those close to her will remember her devotion to others. There were many hand-knit hats and sweaters for Allan’s grandchildren and Rose regularly prepared, packaged and mailed home-baked chocolate chip cookies, for birthdays.

Rose is survived by her sister (Colleen), brother in-law (Rod White), Allan’s children (Andrew, Kate, and Tim O’Brien) and four grandchildren, Barbara, Sam, Emma, and Jack.

As expected, Rose provided very specific instructions for the handling of her death. In lieu of a funeral, a cocktail party will be held in her honor with pre-selected (by her) wines and scotch whiskey, at a date, to be announced. Condolences and memories may be sent to rodjameswhite55@gmail.com.