BARSS (Haley), Constance “Connie” Leighton

At the age of 103, Connie Barss, formerly of Wolfville, passed away peacefully in Orchard Court Nursing Home in Kentville on February 24, 2024.

Connie was born in St. Stephen, NB, on September 5, 1920. She was the daughter of the late Harold Robbins and Alice Maud (Beckett) Haley. Her early schooling was in St. Stephen, NB. Then she attended Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English in 1941. In 1951 she returned to St. Stephen and worked as a lab technician at the Charlotte County Hospital for 10 years. In 1961 she returned to Wolfville. The next 25 years were spent as Executive Secretary to four presidents at Acadia University. She also worked as secretary to the Board of Governors for many years. She was very fond of her work at Acadia and saw many changes at the University.

Connie was a member of the Wolfville Baptist Church, the University Women’s Club, and the Enid Fitzpatrick Missionary Society. She had many wonderful friends in Wolfville. A kind, gentle lady and always well dressed. Connie was there to help anyone in need. She had a special place in her heart for her four granddaughters and would travel great distances to spend time with them.

Music, bridge, reading, and travel brought her enjoyment. Her real passion was her garden. The rock garden and roses were her pride and joy and a pleasure to others. She was active with walking, swimming and in her younger years golf. Even in her early 90s she would go to the Acadia pool to swim.

Connie is survived by her two sons, Dr. Peter Barss, Grindrod, BC, and Dr. David Barss (Catherine MacMullin), Pentz, Lunenburg County, NS; grandchildren, Julia Barss (Ashley McColgan) and their children, Kaia and Abigail McColgan; Celia Barss (John Cooper) and their children, James and Claire Cooper; Sara Barss (Chris Christie) and their children, Austin and Nathan Christie; and Pedra “Hazel” Barss; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family. She remained very close to her two former daughters-in-law Martha Barss and Terri-Jo Everest.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Frank (Jane) Haley and Elizabeth (Robert) Shreve.

Gone from us that smiling face, the cheerful pleasant ways, the heart that won so many friends, In bygone , happy days. A life made beautiful by kindly deeds, a helping hand for others’ needs. To a beautiful life, comes a happy end, she died as she lived, everyone’s friend.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, in the Wolfville Baptist Church, Wolfville, with a reception to follow. Rev. Michael Shreve officiating. Interment will take place in Willow Bank Cemetery, Wolfville at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, Wolfville Baptist Church, or the Canadian Red Cross. Flowers from family only. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.