Obituary of Jessie Ann Wadden

NEW GLASGOW – Jessie Ann Wadden, 88, New Glasgow, passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 11, 2023, in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.

Born in Greenwood, Pictou County, was a daughter of the late John Henry and Margaret (MacInnis) Cameron. Jessie was the youngest of three sisters. She, Bell and Betty,  were each other’s best friends throughout their lives. Following completion of a commercial course at East Pictou Rural High School, Jessie along with her good friend Rene Stewart, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, leaving home at 19 when she was “as green as the grass”, in her words.  Following basic training, Jessie was stationed in France as a radar operator and enjoyed many European adventures before leaving the service due to a TB diagnosis. She returned to visit Europe with her sister Betty in 1997, visiting her nephew Gary while he was teaching overseas.  Upon Jessie’s return to Pictou County, she took a job as a bookkeeper at the former Commercial Equipment, New Glasgow.  During this time, she met her husband, Alfred Thomas Wadden and they enjoyed their life together until his untimely death in 1975.  Following Alf’s death, Jessie with the support of her in-laws, enrolled in the CNA program at Dartmouth Vocational School which she successfully completed, eventually taking a position at Valley View Villa remaining there for 25 years. Jessie’s fondness for animals, especially dogs, began with the family dog, Chippy, who was adopted by her family when he followed her home from school one day.  She also enjoyed flower gardening and would “rather hammer nails and dig in the dirt” than spend time in the kitchen.

Jessie was the last member of her immediate family.  She had a special connection with her nephew, Gary, his wife, Ronalda and their children, Adam and Sarah, of who she was especially proud. She also leaves niece, Janice Laureijs; nephews, David (Lily) DeYoung and Chris DeYoung, and their children. She had fond memories of her nephew-in-law, John Laureijs.

In memory of Jessie, kindness shown towards animals or support for the Pictou County SPCA would be most fitting.