Obituary of Hyla Margaret Grant

Hyla Margaret Grant, in her 95th year, passed away on July 5, 2014 at Ridgewood Veterans Wing. She was the wife of Dr. N.C. Grant who passed away in 1994. Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia on December 4, 1919, she was the eldest of nine children of the late William C. and Margaret MacDonald of Mulgrave, N.S. Hyla graduated from nursing school at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish in 1942. She enlisted in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps and served overseas during World War II. She first was stationed in Colchester, England, and later at Aldershot. Following the D-Day invasion she transferred to continental Europe with the RCMC, finishing her service in Germany in 1946. After the war Hyla married Dr. N.C Grant and together they moved to Saint John where Dr. Grant opened a practice with his brother, Dr. T.E. Grant. Hyla and Norbert raised eight children and in 1976 she resumed her nursing career, working with her husband until 1979 when he closed his practice. Hyla was a virtuoso on the piano. She couldn’t read a note of music but if you hummed a few bars she could play almost anything. Many were the singsongs she led at gatherings of family and friends at Duncraggan Court. She was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Parish CWL and active with Meals on Wheels, St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary and Birthright. She is survived by her eight children, five daughters, Ms. Wendy Grant, Halifax; Elizabeth "Betty", Mrs. Wilfred MacNeil, Johnstown, NS; Miss Marilyn Grant, Madonna House, Victoria, BC; Barbara, Mrs. Donald Peverill, Halifax; and Sandra, Mrs. Michael O’Brien, Morrisdale; three sons, Dr. Eric N. Grant (Diane), Rothesay; Justice William T. Grant (Joan), Saint John; and Dr. Ian M. Grant (Deirdre), Rothesay; two sisters, Ruth Folan, Norwell, MA.; Roberta (Henry) Hobaica, Easton, MA.; and six sisters-in-law, Theresa MacDonald, North Sydney, NS; Lucille MacDonald, Riverview; Jacqueline MacDonald, Halifax; Dorothy MacDonald, Havre Boucher, NS; Joan (Dr. A. Raymond) Grant, Charlottetown, PEI; and Jean (Robert) A ndres, Sarnia, ON; 24 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and her husband, Hyla was predeceased by her sisters, Elizabeth "Betty" Kelly and Anna Theriault; her brothers, Hugh "Sonny" MacDonald; Leonard MacDonald; Donald MacDonald; Robert MacDonald; brothers-in-law, F. A. "Mike" Kelly; John Theriault and John Folan; and her half sisters, Mary (John) Kawaja, and Katie (Norris) Penton. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Tuesday from 3-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held from Holy Trinity Church, 21 Canon Street on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 12:00 noon. Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances to Romero House, St Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, The Cathedral Restoration Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be placed at www.brenansfh.com