It is with deep sadness and loving remembrance that the family of Shirley White announces her peaceful passing at home, surrounded by her family, on May 14, 2025, at the age of 91, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

 

Born on July 8, 1933, in Alliston, PEI, Shirley lived a life deeply rooted in faith, family, and community. She was the beloved wife of the late Murray White, with whom she shared a passion for music and service—often visiting nursing homes together to sing for seniors. A devoted mother and grandmother, Shirley leaves behind her daughters Judy White (Warren Williams) and Debi White, her son Jeff White (Sherilee Condon), and her only granddaughter, Lindsay Haining. Fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Bert and Laura Hicken, sisters Lillian (Bob) Lafferty and Annie (Billy) Stewart, and brother Neil (Mary) Hicken.

 

Shirley was a long-standing and faithful member of Central Christian Church, where her gentle spirit and compassion were felt by all. She also proudly served as a volunteer and member of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

 

Her summers were joyfully spent in Murray Harbour, tending to her cherished colourful garden, collecting sea glass along the shoreline, bird watching, and preparing home-cooked meals for her family. Whether out on the boat, caring for children in her home, or offering a kind word to a neighbour, Shirley's life was a testament to the simple joys of generosity, love, and connection.

 

She touched the lives of many—family, friends, and members of her community—with her unwavering warmth and care. Shirley’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. Funeral Sunday from Central Christian Church at 2:30 p.m. Interment in Murray Harbour Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to Central Christian Church. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

 

Forever remembered, forever loved.

 

Donations may be made directly to:

 

Central Christian Church

167 Hillsborough Street

Charlottetown, PE C1A 4W8

Ph: 902-894-5234

The death occurred peacefully at Andrews of Stratford on Monday, May 12, 2025, of Luell V. Robison (nee MacDonald) of Charlottetown. Beloved wife of the late Samuel Robison. Fondly remembered by her chosen family Rae and Gary Watts. Predeceased by her parents George and Olive MacDonald, and sisters Verna (Ralph) Jordan and Lois (Angus) MacDonald.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel from where the funeral will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Peoples Cemetery. No visiting hours by request. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

The death occurred peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, of William Arthur “Bill” Henry of Charlottetown, aged 85 years. Beloved husband of Susan (nee Fraser), father of Lynn, Bonnie, Sarah, and Jenn (Jeff Grandy), and proud grandfather of David and Ella Gallant, and Fraser Grandy. Predeceased by his parents William and Evelyn (nee Bryanton), and sister Janice (Angus) McBeath.

 

Although his studies and vocation would eventually take him far from PEI, Bill was a staunch Islander through and through, often telling lively tales of his boyhood growing up in Charlottetown attending West Kent School and Prince of Wales College. From there he entered Dalhousie University in Halifax, where he earned a history degree, received his commission as an officer in the Canadian Forces, and met Susan, the fellow student he would marry in 1963. Bill was deeply proud of his decades-long service in Canada’s military, especially his significant and often perilous peacekeeping work in Cyprus, Egypt, Lebanon and across the Middle East. With his young family, he also lived in Holland and in many different cities across Canada, moving every two years to embrace new responsibilities. As proud as he was to be in the military, over the years Bill became prouder still of his children—four very different daughters who all grew up with the sense that no education or career path was closed to them. Bill’s last posting took him back to his beloved PEI, and it was here, after retirement, that he gardened, read voraciously, kept close watch over the people and animals in his Brighton neighbourhood and discovered the great joy of his later years: being a devoted grandfather to David, Ella and Fraser.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held in July. If so desired, memorial donations may be made directly to Island Nature Trust or War Amps PEI. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

 

Donations may be made directly to:

 

Island Nature Trust

PO Box 265

Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K4

 

War Amps PEI

PO Box 788

Charlottetown, PE C1A 7L9

Mary’s long journey with frontotemporal dementia has ended peacefully on May 7, 2025, at age 69 at the Beach Grove Home in Charlottetown PE with her family close. Mary was born on March 29, 1956, into the Wood Islands family home of her parents John “Jack” MacKay and Emily MacKay (nee Compton), both now deceased. She is survived by her loving husband and soulmate David Gillis and their children Jonathan Gillis (Karen) and Carley Sugeng (Hubert), all of whom she was immensely proud. She adored her grandchildren Lucy Gillis and Ryan and Emily Sugeng. Mary is also survived by three loving sisters; Judy Goodwin (Eric), Jean Brown (Allen) and Anne Tweedie (Graeme), sister-in-law Anne Gillis Penney and brother-in-law Ralph Gillis (Lori), as well as a host of wonderful nieces and nephews and a growing cadre of beautiful grandnieces and grandnephews, all of whom she loved like her own. She is also survived by her loved mother-in-law Edna (Nicki) Gillis MacLeod.

 

Mary had a lightness of spirit that endeared her to all those she met. She was a loving and supportive mom who took time from her career to anchor our young family home. Aside from family time, she was happiest and at her best in the company of old and new friends and was often the co-instigator of all kinds of hilarity. A graduate of Holland College, Mary’s early career was in real estate property appraisal. Her caring nature led her to work for the Children’s Wish Foundation in PEI and into community volunteerism of all types. With her organizational and social skills, she worked in several positions and projects in the tourism, agriculture and hospitality sectors in PEI, and she had an extended stint on Parliament Hill in Ottawa from which she retired in 2013. Mary loved to travel, and she and David toured the world widely in retirement until her condition precluded it.

 

Mary received excellent care over the course of her illness. In particular, the family would like to recognize and thank the Bruyere Memory Clinic in Ottawa, the Alzheimer’s Society of PEI, the McGill Community Mental Health team, the Health PEI Home Care network, and the amazing staff at the Beach Grove Home in Charlottetown for their respective contributions to her care, all of which were provided with a wonderful balance of professionalism and empathy. Special thanks to the many friends and family who provided her and our family with loving support throughout. Mary was much loved and will be much missed.

 

Arrangements are entrusted to MacLean Funeral Home and cremation has taken place. Per her wishes, there will be no visitation, but an open Celebration of Life for Mary will be held in coming weeks. In her memory, please consider a donation to the upcoming (May 24) PEI Alzheimer’s Society IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's at this link: https://support.alzheimer.ca/site/TR?px=1698547&pg=personal&fr_id=5125 Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

The death occurred peacefully at the Kings County Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, of Arthur Jones of Pownal, age 92 years. Loving father of Hannah Jones and brother of Norma Hambly and Hilda Simpson. Predeceased by his parents Wilbur and Vera (Hyde) Jones, and brothers-in-law Robert Hambly, Kimball Acorn, and Merrill Simpson.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. Funeral Sunday from St. Andrew’s United Church, Vernon Bridge at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Pownal Cemetery. If so desired, memorial donations may be made directly to the Pownal Cemetery. Visiting hours Saturday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Mizpah Lodge No. 17 Eldon will hold a Masonic memorial service at the funeral home on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

 

Donations may be made directly to:

 

Pownal Cemetery

Contact: Gordon Furness, Treasurer

21 Ross Road

Vernon Bridge, PE C0A 2E0

Ph: 902-394-0839

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing on Sunday, May 4, 2025 of Wallace “Wally” Edison Jardine Smith of Charlottetown, formerly of Pownal, age 89 years. Beloved husband of 68 years of Marlene “Maggie” (nee Balderston), loving father of Gary (Vickie), Mark (Martha), and Philip (Megan), grandfather of Dennis, Amanda, Victoria, Trinity, and Gabriel, and great-grandfather of Grace and Blake. Also survived by sister Linda Drake, sister-in-law Marjorie Balderston, and nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Edison and Florence (MacDougall) Smith, parents-in-law Earl and Edna Balderston, and brothers-in-law Roger Balderston and Doug Drake.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. Funeral Friday from Zion Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfe1uKAV7z4 Interment later in Calvin Presbyterian Cemetery, Mermaid. No visitation by personal request. If so desired, memorial donations may be made directly to Calvin Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

 

Donations may be made directly to:

 

Calvin Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Contact: Scott MacDonald

18 Swallow Dr

Stratford, PE C1B 4M2

Ph: 902-393-4999

The death occurred at Andrews of Stratford on Sunday, April 27, 2025, of Grace Vivian Nicholson (nee Diamond) in her 104th year. She is survived by her three children: Chris (Melissa Raymond), Martha (Bruce Stewart), and Margaret “Margie” (Richard Kays), grandchildren Jordan (Jordana), Vanessa (Brandon), David (Sophie), Laura (Nick), Rachel (Ronnie), Matthew (Grace) and her 4 great-grandchildren Ayla, Keith, Magnolia and Henry. Predeceased by her husband, The Honourable Chief Justice John Paton Nicholson and many relatives and friends.

 

The family would like to thank the staff at Andrews for the care and compassion they have shown over the past number of years.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel from where the service will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be live-streamed at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=e3272ee0-5b24-4d31-988f-fdc3794fadbf Interment in Peoples Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of PEI or a charity of choice. Visiting hours Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

 

Donations may be made directly to:

 

Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward Island

166 Fitzroy Street

Charlottetown, PE C1A 1S1

The death occurred peacefully at the Garden Home on Sunday, April 20, 2025, of William Anthony “Billy” Burns of Charlottetown, age 88 years. Beloved father of Steven and brother of Fred and Austin. Fondly remembered by nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents John and Minnie (Clybourne) Burns and Sister Edna Leclair.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Monday at 3:00 p.m. in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Charlottetown. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

The death occurred peacefully at Whisperwood Villa on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, with family by his side, of Lawson Drake of Meadow Bank, age 95 years. Beloved husband of 68 years to Eileen (nee Jay), father of John (Sandra McConkey) and Carolyn (Garth Hurley), Gran of Carrie (Justin Barkhouse) and Katherine (James Mallard), and great-grandfather of Thea. Fondly remembered by his siblings-in-law Allison (Marg) Jay, Muriel Jay Matheson, Roddie MacLean, Cynthia (Mearl) Crane, and Allan (Shirley) Jay and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and their families. Predeceased by his parents Lemuel and Carrie (nee MacLaren) Drake, siblings Stewart (Ethel), Vernon (Zelda and Helen) and infant twin sisters Helen and Marion, siblings-in-law Connie Thurber, Angus Matheson, and Miriam MacLean.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. Funeral Thursday from West River United Church, Cornwall at 2:00 p.m. Interment later in the church cemetery. If so desired, memorial donations may be made directly to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation or Island Nature Trust. Visiting hours Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com

 

Donations may be made directly to:

 

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation

PO Box 6600

Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T5

Ph: 902-894-2425

 

Island Nature Trust

PO Box 265

Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K4

 

UPEI saddened by passing of Founder and retired faculty member Dr. Lawson Drake

 

The University of Prince Edward Island is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Lawson Drake, UPEI Founder, former dean of science, retired professor and founding chair of the Department of Biology, and Prince of Wales College alumnus on April 23, 2025, in Charlottetown. The flags in front of the Kelley Memorial Building have been lowered to half-mast in his memory.

 

Dr. Drake was raised in and was a long-time resident of Meadowbank, PEI. While studying at Prince of Wales College in 1947, he was chosen as one of twenty-five sea cadets to represent Canada on a visit to the United Kingdom as guests of the Navy League and the British Admiralty. They crossed the Atlantic on HMCS Warrior and spent several weeks abroad.

 

Dr. Drake graduated from PWC in 1948 and from McGill University (Macdonald College) in 1950. In 1959, he received his master’s degree from Cornell University and returned to PWC where he taught biology until 1966. From 1963 to 1966, his teaching duties included teaching anatomy and physiology to students in the Prince Edward Island Hospital School of Nursing. After receiving his PhD from Dalhousie University in 1969, he became the first chair of the UPEI Department of Biology. Dr. Drake served as dean of the Faculty of Science from 1985 to 1991; as dean, he chaired the Nursing Education Transition Committee whose work established the School of Nursing at UPEI. He was also a staunch supporter of the Atlantic Veterinary College and helped mentor the founding faculty. He retired in 1994.

 

Dr. Drake also contributed to his community as an author, historian, and conservationist, and was known for weaving references to history, music, literature, and culture into his lectures, sparking a curiosity about other disciplines among his students. He was an avid supporter of genealogy and traditional Scottish fiddle music.

 

In retirement, Dr. Drake was an active member of the Association of Retired UPEI Employees, attended many University events, and along with his wife Eileen, created the Eileen and Lawson Drake Prize in Pediatric Nursing.

 

He was named a UPEI Founder in 2004 and was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty’s Mentor Award in 2016.

 

UPEI sends its deepest condolences to Dr. Drake’s wife Eileen, family, friends, and colleagues.

 

The University of Prince Edward Island is located on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaw people, known to them as Epekwitk, a traditional district in the territory of Mi'kma'ki.

Rick passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in his 90th year. Born in Parkdale, he was the son of the late Clyde and Marion (nee Stead) Bell. Survived by his sisters Lorraine Emery, Rena (Dale) Phillips and Janet (Roger) Yeo, brothers Roy (Pam), Norman (Lorraine) and Donnie (Judy). Predeceased by brothers Stephen and Harold, sister Norma (Robert) Bradley and brother-in-law Monty Emery.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. A graveside service will be conducted by The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 1. No visiting hours or service by personal request. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com