April 17, 1934 – October 27, 2026
It is with great sadness the family of Daisy DePalma announce her peaceful passing within the comforts of her home while listening to the song, ‘I Did it my Way’ by Elvis Presley, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Born in Advocate Harbour, NS, she was the daughter of the late Ethel May (Morris) and Kenneth Rector.
Quote from her 1956 Nurses Graduation year book:
“A student by day, A mystery by night.”
“Daisy JenneDee Rector hails from Advocate Harbour. ‘Dee’, a fun-loving gal, with a twinkle in her mischievous brown eyes, always manages to enjoy life to the fullest. Delights in dancing, sun bathing at the Dingle, sleeping after 6 am and laughing at something serious. Famous for her deep, velvety voice, contrasted with her high-pitched, unaffected laugh. Plans for the future are indefinite, but the country of the “stars and stripes” rates highest on the list at present.”
Daisy did in fact fulfill her dreams to the country of the stars and stripes, living a career starting with her graduation from the Old Victoria General School of Nursing (1953 to 1956). From there she worked at the Metabolic Unit at the VG. Working at TB Hospital in Kentville, NS, back to the VG for a bit. She then took her move to Massachusetts, USA. There she worked at Worcester General Hospital, to Cape Cod Hospital; from there she moved to California and worked at Santa Monica General Hospital, doing private duty nursing for a number of years. She worked at UCLA Medical Center. She then took a course at UCLA in Economics, worked at Burien General Hospital in Seattle, Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton N.S, Berwick Hospital N.S., finishing off her career in nursing back at Soldiers Memorial Hospital in 1987. Retiring back to Advocate NS with her sister Betty (Elizabeth) Whyte. She enjoyed her final twenty-one years living in Moncton NB with her loved ones.
She will be sadly missed by her daughter, Elizabeth DePalma; grandchildren, Rose Robinson (Jaime) and Robert Petitpas; great grandchildren, Bailey Robinson (Meagan) and Brianna Robinson; as well as her new great great granddaughter on the way; she will also be remembered by her second daughter Ellen MacNeil; and her current fur babies, Elvis, Gemini, Ruby and Taz, as well as many extended family members. As well she leaves behind a son Leonard DePalma (Patricia); grandchildren Talia and Avery DePalma.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the care and support of Daisy’s PSW, Melissa as well as all the support we received from Extra Mural, Social Development and our Family Physician.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Evelyn Chaffee, Hallie Rector, Betty Whyte, Virginia Hamilton and Faith Goldbeck; as well as her brother, Kenneth Rector.
Upon passing through the heavenly gates, Daisy was joyfully reunited with her dearest friends Theresa and Janet along with her beloved fur babies Sylvester and Shadow in which she officially received her eternal wings.
In keeping with Daisy’s wishes there will be no visitation hours or funeral service. Interment will be held at a later date in Advocate Harbour, NS.
Fergusons Funeral Home & Fergusons Crematorium, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (506-858-1995) have been entrusted with arrangements.
In memory of Daisy, memorial contributions to a memorial of the donor’s choice would be appreciated. Online condolences for the family may be shared at www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com
This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home’s or family’s consent.
