Obituary of Olafur and Carola Egilsson

Olafur Elias Egilsson (1931-2022) Iceland / Pictou We the family of Captain Olafur Egilsson are saddened to say that a Heart of Gold stopped beating a month before his 91st birthday. He passed away peacefully at home, as per his wishes, on October 18th. Having left Iceland at the age of 17, he spent most of the next 73 years in Nova Scotia on survey ships, fishing boats and with the Nova Scotia Government as the Supervisor of Nets and Gear Technology at the Pictou Fisheries School. He is survived by the love of his life, wife and dance partner of 66 years, Carola ‘Lola’ nee Boudreau; children, Greg (Brenda), Julie (Blair Battist), Mary Lou (Allan Samson), Michael ‘Chuck’ (September), and Daphne (Scott Leonard); 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Michael Joseph, in infancy; his adopted brother, Rafn Josefsson; and his siblings in Iceland, Jón, Þórður, Guðrún, Bjarni, Ásgrímur, Guðmundur, Ingibjǫrg, and a sister in infancy. A teacher, mentor and friend to all he met. The sea was in his blood and he never ventured far from the waves. In his retirement he enjoyed winters spent in Florida. Cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at Star of the Sea Cemetery in Petit de Grat at a later date. Words cannot express our family’s gratitude to Dr. Omoifo, the Pictou County Palliative Care Society, the Victorian Order of Nurses, Continuing Care, and to all who provided excellent care to our dear father. Angels do walk among us. EGILSSON, Carola Geraldine ‘Lola’ Pictou It is with deepest sorrow that we, her children, announce the passing of our beloved matriarch on November 24, 2024. Born in Petit de Grat, Richmond County on April 20, 1936, she was the daughter of Henry and Violet (Britten) Boudreau. After graduating High School, Lola attended the Canadian Vocational Training School in Halifax where she obtained her Diploma in Stenography. Mom began her career in the office of Booth Fisheries in Petit de Grat. When her youngest child started school, she went back to work in a variety of roles. She spent many years as a legal secretary and then as a steno for the Housing Commission and the Sheriff’s Office. Mom also clerked at Gaudet’s and Scanlan’s grocery stores and Eaton’s in Pictou. Together with Dad, she was a member of the Pictou Lions/Lionettes Club and the New Caledonia Curling Club. Mom enjoyed sewing, knitting, crochet and crafting. She was an excellent seamstress. Mom enjoyed a good game of cards with her sister Eula, Bingo at the Legion, and her visits to Moncton. Mom was an avid follower of the Blue Jays, Raptors and the Maple Leafs. It wasn’t unusual to find mom following two or three games at the same time – all while working on a word puzzle or a knitting project. Her hands were rarely idle. If you showed up at the house near noon or 5:00 p.m., she would welcome you for a meal and ‘throw another potato in the pot’. She loved the 25+ winters spent in Zephyrhills, Florida – especially the weekly dinner/dances at the social club with Dad as her dance partner. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, she relished in their varied accomplishments and time spent with them was so precious to her. Mom was quick to offer sage advice, solicited or not…and usually she was right! Survived by 5 children, Greg (Brenda), Julie (Blair Battist), Mary Lou (Allan Samson), Michael ‘Chuck’, and Daphne (Scott Leonard); 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Also survived by sisters, Pauline (Phil) Benoit, Eula Samson; sister-in-law, Lucille Boudreau, all of Petit de Grat; nieces and nephews, too numerous to name. Predeceased by loving husband, Olafur ‘Oli’ Egilsson; infant son, Michael Joseph; brother, Carl Boudreau and brother-in-law, Bernard ‘Bernie’ Samson. Angels do exist in our health care system! Your dedication and excellent care made our mothers journey so much easier! Thank you to her oncologist Dr. Peiran Sun (Halifax) and staff at the Dickson Building, the VON, Continuing Care, the staff of the Aberdeen Hospital and the Pictou County Palliative Care Society. Cremation has taken place, burial will be in Star of the Sea Cemetery, Petit de Grat at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pictou County Palliative Care Society or a charity of choice.