Obituary of Rose Brightman

Annie Rosella “Rose” Brightman, 97, New Glasgow, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Glen Haven Manor, New Glasgow, peacefully surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Piedmont, she was a daughter of the late Jeremiah O’Connor and Annie (MacDonald) (O’Conor), Cameron. Prior to retirement, Rose was employed with the Department of Highways as a dispatcher at the MacLellan’s Brook office.  In earlier years, she was a furniture salesperson and operated the family service station, The White Rose, on Little Harbour Road, for many years. Rose had the ability to find the right “niche” for the time.  She was inducted into the Pictou County Hall of Fame for her stockcar racing days at the former Frasers Mountain track. Rose played and coached baseball for many years, always “in the thick of things”. She greatly enjoyed local “tug-of-wars” and assembled many winning teams.  When her daughter, Connie began figure skating, Rose travelled throughout the province and parts of Canada to support her. In later years, she thoroughly enjoyed playing TV Bingo. Most importantly, Rose will be remembered for her “big heart”, how she looked after and cared for many children and adults.  In earlier years, she would foster children so they would not be placed in the “system” and became “mom” to many.

Surviving are her children, Wayne (Sam) Brightman, Country Harbour; Darlene MacDougall, New Glasgow; Reggie (Debbie) Brightman, Little Harbour; sister, Faye (Reg) Visser-Booth, New Glasgow; brother, Hughie (Barb) Cameron; Lyons Brook; son-in-law, Steven Frazee, Frasers Mountain; grandchildren, Barry Brightman, George Gillis, Tara Gillis, Chad Gillis, Tony MacDougall, Ian MacDougall, Melanie MacDougall, Micheal MacDougall, Sara Roussy, Melanie Roussy, Justin Roussy, Mathew Roussy, Mark Roussy, Sandy Frazee, Jeffery Teague, Connor Brightman and Carter Brightman; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Donald Fraser Brightman; daughters, Carol Gillis and Connie Frazee; son, Derick Brightman; sisters, Louise MacKenzie, Kathleen Trefry, Molly Cyr and Lillian Shaw; brothers, Charles, Philip, Cyril and Jerry O’Connor; brothers-in-law, John Visser, Gary Arthur Shaw, Barry MacDougall and Raymond Gillis.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, in Murray’s Point Cemetery, Lower Barney’s River with Rev. Gail Johnson Murdock officiating.

Donations may be made in memory of Rose to the Canadian Red Cross or Pictou County VON.