Cochrane, Freda M. (nee Wagstaff) passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 in Northwood Care Centre, Halifax. Freda was born in Port Greville in 1931 to the late Gilbert and Rebecca (Parsons) Wagstaff. She attended school in Port Greville and Parrsboro before continuing her education at the Provincial Normal College in Truro from 1949-50. In 1951, Freda married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) and they enjoyed 48 years together raising their two children in Port Greville, Sheet Harbour and Brookfield. Freda taught school for 9 years touching the hearts of all her students. In 1960, she made the decision to be a full time stay-at-home Mom, dedicating her life to her family. Freda played an active role in her church and community always willing to selflessly donate her time and efforts. She was a member of Unit 7 UCW in Brookfield, a life member of the Grace United Church Women's Group in Port Greville. Freda started volunteering with the Port Greville Age of Sail Museum in 1992 and served on the regular board until 2012 when she became an Honorary Board Member. Freda was devoted to the history of the area and a life size cutout of Freda and her husband, Bob stand in the museum's schoolroom display at the Age of Sail Museum. She was a wonderful baker, homemaker, seamstress and knitter and her friends and family were the lucky recipients of many homemade treasures over the years. Freda was instrumental in establishing the Robert Cochrane War Memorial in Port Greville.Freda was also the daughter in-law to Ken Cochrane who owned and operated the Cochrane Shipyard. Freda is survived by her son, David , Advocate; daughter, Anna Marie Bates, and her husband, Brent, Fall River; grandsons, Gregory (Kristin), Edmonton, Alta.; Garrett, University of Regina, Sask.; brothers, Millard (Marguerite), Port Greville; Henry (Jackie), Edmonton, Alta.; sisters, Jean Thomas, Stoney Creek, Ont.; Dorothy Evans, Parrsboro; special family member, Sarah Wetmore, Fox River; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert; a son, Robert John in infancy; a brother, Charles Wagstaff; sister in law, Millie Wagstaff; brothers in law, Tommy Thomas and Phil Evans.
Charles Dimock Seaman was born August 8th 1905 in Parrsboro N.S. to Alonzo Seaman and Lilliam (McArthur) Seaman. Brought up in Parrsboro, his parents owned and operated the Ottawa House Inn. Charles was a graduate of Mount Allison University in 1923 and spent most of his working years with a credit bureau in Salem, Massachusetts. Retiring in 1965, he moved to Florida to spend his retirement years.
Gayle Shaw nee Colpitts was born in 1945 and raised in Port Greville, N.S. Gayle moved to British Colombia as a young adult. There she met and married Terry Shaw 1949-present. Once retired they returned to N.S. to care for family. They owned the Port Greville Shaw Country Market and Ebb Tide B&B from 2000-2015. Both Gayle and Terry were very involved in the Port Greville community.
Sinclair Dewis is the Great Grandson of Captain Robert Dewis and Emily Spicer. He has taken an active role in gathering the Dewis family history for years.
Margaret O’Flaherety was the daughter of Aldon Collins and Berenice Lewis. Born and raised in Parrsboro, N.S., she was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and studied Meteorology.
David Stanley was born in New Zealand and he had always dreamt of a life of adventure at sea. He went to Dalhousie University to complete his Masters in History and choose to do his thesis on the Spencers Island Company, a case study in Nova Scotian entrepreneurial success. David hosted a presentation to the public at The Age of Sail Museum and gave a copy of his thesis to the museum archives.
Alexander Collins, was born in Liverpool, N.S. He took to sailing at an early age and worked on engines and boilers on ships. He spent many years in Wards Brook, N.S.
John Merriam is the son of Captain Rand Merriam and Grandson of Captain Harvey Doane Merriam. John is a former RCMP member and lives with his wife Linda sharing their time in their two homes in Berwick and Wards Brook, N.S.
Carol Zwicker is the granddaughter of John McCullough Mill, an engineer from Port Greville, N.S.
Dara Garfield Bowser was born in 1956 to Josephine Slater and Garfield Bowser. He is a descendant of the Cannings, Slater and Hatfield families of the Parrsboro Shore, N.S.