CONROD, Phyllis

The family of Phyllis Bertha Conrod would like to announce the passing of her spirit into the next world on May 5, 2021 in Sydney NS. Born on September 5, 1935 in First South, NS. Phyllis grew up in beautiful Lahave with her beloved mother, Rita Brown; sisters, Ethel and Shirley and brother Albert. Her life really began one summer evening, when out with a friend at the Banook Boat Club, she spied a tall, handsome man (wearing a sweater emblazoned with a moose) casually leaning against a railing. That night Phyllis told her friend, “I’m going to marry that man”. A few years later she did, and what a wonderful life they shared, true partners and best friends. As a newly married couple the Air Force took them to Montreal and then on to California. Then, deciding they wanted to raise their family at home they picked up and drove across Route 66 back to Nova Scotia where they settled in Dartmouth to raise their three young daughters. Years later they decided to make a final move to Cape Breton where two more children joined the family. The pull to Cape Breton was motivated by a love of the Baha’i Faith and the opportunity to pioneer to the Cape Breton community and help form the first Baha’i Assembly in Sydney. As stalwart Baha’is, their home was always an open and loving space with music, devotions and lots to eat, welcoming people from their community and around the world. Phyllis was particularly interested in teaching Baha’i children’s classes and was devoted to instilling her children with a love of God. While in Cape Breton, Phyllis was also able to devote time to her many artistic talents. An accomplished quilter, weaver, and clothing designer Phyllis sold her creations to people around the Maritimes. A particularly proud moment was when she designed, wove and made jackets which were worn by performers in the closing ceremonies at the Jeux Canada Games in 1987. Later in her life she decided to dedicate her talents to painting landscapes with particularly realistic paintings of water and boats. In addition to all of this, Phyllis was always a devoted wife and mother who spent time caring for her family. She loved cooking, gardening, spending time in prayerful meditation, keeping her husband in line and smiling. Phyllis is predeceased by her loving husband of almost 60 years, Brian; sisters, Ethel and Shirley; brother, Albert, mother Rita, step-father, Merrill Brown and father, Albert Cook. She will be dearly missed by her daughters, Michelle (Troy), Laura, Cheryl (Scott), Sarah (Robert) and beloved son John; grandchildren, Chelsea, Amy (Oliver), Zach (Cassandra), Frank (Jacqueline) and great-grandson Emery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pier Community Funeral Home in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Due to Covid restrictions a limited family funeral will be held. A memorial gathering with friends and family will be held at a later date.

“Love is the greatest law in this vast universe of God” Abdu’l Baha