Alice J. (Lindsay) Ronalds

February 20, 1926 - October 29, 2025

The family of Port Hawkesbury resident Alice Joyce Ronalds is saddened to announce her quiet passing during the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, NS.

In her 100th year, Alice, and her twin sister Bernice, were born during the height of a winter snowstorm February 20, 1926, at the Bateman Family farm, Salmon Beach, NB. No medical assistance was available due to inclement weather, so the twins were delivered with the help of family members. So small, the baby girls slept in dresser drawers until large enough to fit in regular-sized bassinets.

Alice married our dad, Percy Ronalds, May 22, 1947, in Bathurst, NB. Following their marriage, they moved to Marathon, Ontario, where dad was employed in the pulp and paper industry. Alice soon longed to be closer to their New Brunswick roots after the births of her first three children so the family moved to Port Hawkesbury in 1961.

Alice is survived by her four children, Jack, Gordon (Sue), Barb (Rick Jackson) and David. She is also survived by her brother, Raymond (Mary) Lindsay, Dunlop, NB, as well as many nieces and nephews in New Brunswick and Ontario. Alice’s greatest pride were her grandchildren and their children who reside throughout Canada and Australia. These include Tony Ronalds (Gemma Foxton), Bill Ronalds (Jennifer Landry), Rebecca Tyre, Michael, James and Daniel Ronalds, and Matthew Jackson. Alice leaves 17 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Married 68 years, mom was predeceased by our dad in 2015. She is also predeceased by her twin sister, Bernice Lindsay Morrison and brothers, John and David Lindsay, all of Bathurst, NB and daughter-in-law, Diana Hendsbee Ronalds. Alice’s greatest losses were the deaths of two grandsons, Ryan Jackson in 2013 followed four months later by Gordie Ronalds.

Alice loved a houseful of visitors and all were welcome at her table. She was quite proud that her grandsons brought home their friends and she treated them all like her own. Many called in after their teenage years returning later with their own children to visit ‘Nan’ as she was known to everyone. Mom liked to remind us ‘I’ve got enough beds here, dear - I can sleep 17!’

In addition to welcoming those who came to visit, mom was a great cook and the best homemade bread maker. Her butter tarts and chocolate cakes were unmatched! Mom had many hobbies but her favorites included knitting, sewing and mega-gardening. She believed one could never plant enough flowers or grow enough tomatoes! Mom enjoyed teaching night school sewing classes for several years in Port Hawkesbury. Nutrition was very important to her and she was very proud of her Lifetime Member status with Weight Watchers, following their eating plan for some 51 years.

A resident of Port Hawkesbury for over 64 years, Alice valued her neighbors and many friends she met along the way. A lifelong Anglican, she joined Holy Trinity Anglican Church upon arrival from Ontario. She happily served in several capacities within the church including the altar guild and fund-raising committees.

The family wishes to thank Jack and Dave Ronalds who took great care of mom as her health declined over the past several years. Special thanks as well to her dear friends Norman and Alice Landry, Maia Landriault and Angela MacRae. We appreciate all you did for our mom. She loved the goodies, the drives for groceries and your visits. Special thanks to mom’s family physician of nearly half a century, Dr Jim Collins, in addition to her new medical team following Dr Collins’ retirement. To the EHS Paramedics who caringly transported Alice to St Martha’s and wonderful RNs in Palliative Care who gave her the best care in her last days, we are most grateful.

At Alice’s request there will be no funeral service. Remains are entrusted to Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Words of Comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com

Donations, if so desired, may be made to St Martha’s Palliative Care Unit, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2G5.