NAUSS, Doris Zipporah

2019-06-25

(90), of Mahone Nursing Home, Mahone Bay, and formerly of Blockhouse, passed away June 25, 2019. Born March 22, 1929, she was the eldest daughter of the late Simeon and Elfreda (Miller) Oickle. She demonstrated artistic abilities at a young age and was widely known for her painting, decorative, and especially musical offerings. She studied art under Fanny Ernst and specialized in oil and pastel paintings, which later developed into a talent for baking and decorating wedding cakes. She studied piano in her youth, was performing publicly by age 14, taught herself to play accordion, and later pursued pipe organ lessons with Pearl Oxner. This led to more than 50 years of service as an organist through a variety of Lutheran and Anglican churches, wedding and funeral services, and community organizations. She also started a musical band, The Melodies, who performed at local dances and special events for over a decade. Doris was community-minded with involvement in the Nova Scotia’s Women’s Institute, Blockhouse branch, and was captain of the Girl Guides in Blockhouse for several years. She also directed school choirs from Farmville and achieved success with them in the Lunenburg County Music Festival. Following in her own musical education, she took pride in teaching others, particular through piano and organ. She especially enjoyed travel, particularly to Prince Edward Island and to Bangor, Maine, as well as spending summers at a number of cottages on Big Mush-a-Mush with her husband and family. Her dry sense of humour, jovial demeanour, and talkative nature made her a welcome guest and visitor throughout the community in addition to entertaining company at home. Doris was very devoted to her family, always willing to lend a helping hand, and continually searched for the beauty in life through jewelry, antiques, glassware, and china. Doris is survived by her daughter Marie (Garnet) Maguire of Indian Path; grandsons Hamilton of Mahone Bay and Christian (Tara) of Blockhouse; great-granddaughter Abigail; brother Ervin (Norma) Oickle of New Minas; sister Janet (Brad) Oickle of Maitland; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Perry (2001) and brother Dawson (Bertha) Oickle. Cremation has taken place under the direction of R.A. Corkum Funeral Home, Wileville, NS. Graveside interment was held on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the Old Blockhouse Cemetery on Northwest Road with Pastor Adam Snook presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mahone Bay – Music Fund, Lunenburg & District Music Festival, or a charity of choice. Many thanks to the staff and residents of Mahone Nursing Home who provided compassion and kindness during her last years.

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