MARY ELIZABETH (FAULKENHAM) ALEXANDER - (Feb 20, 1936 - Mar 28, 2024) was born at the family home in Maplewood.  She was delivered by the community midwife, Mrs. Joe Frank, who lived across from her grandparents in Parkdale. Mom was the third child of Ernest and Marie (Spidle) Faulkenham, having an older brother and sister - Gilbert and Eleanor. Three years later her sister Wilma was born followed by brother, Myles. 
 
Mom grew up on the family farm where there was always work to do whether it be planting, harvesting, washing wool, berry picking or feeding animals. Mom was known to be the fastest on foot and most on task - so she made the trips to the local store 3 km away. She had many adventures growing up but one she recently shared demonstrates the determination of a woman of such small stature. She would assist her brother Gilbert in collecting the frozen rabbits from his snares in exchange for a drive to the dances. According to her, an armful of frozen rabbits can get rather heavy. She had plenty of time for fun and had fond memories of going to Truro by train with some girls from East Dalhousie to attend a church camp. 

Mom worked for various people in her teen years.  She cooked, cleaned, baked and provided childcare.  She prepared cottages for guests in Mahone Bay, worked at Creaser’s sewing factory and eventually was waitressing at Eisnor’s Restaurant in Bridgewater, a job that she enjoyed the most.  Here is where she met her future husband, Bill Alexander - who travelled from Woodside to visit his sister in Bridgewater. He frequented the restaurant where he became more interested in the waitress than the menu. Eventually she found a place to board in the city, so she began working at the same store as Dad. They made plans to wed in 1954 - she designed the house and he and his friends built it.  They had two daughters, Lynn and Nancy, and then decided to move back to the South Shore. While living in Pinehurst, Yvonne was born and then in 1959 the family purchased the Seamone property in Stanley Section. Two sons, David and James, were born in the next three years.  The Tompkin Road was home – with her Sunday dinners with family, flower beds, good neighbors and amazing sunsets 
  
Mom should have had her own restaurant. She cooked and baked daily, both new recipes and tried and true. Her kitchen was her refuge. If her mind was busy, her hands were busier. Bill often said her cinnamon rolls were large enough that it took him 2 miles to eat one as he graded country roads. She enjoyed gardening. Together they put in a large garden and when Dad started slowing down at 82 and wanted a smaller garden, she worked harder. He always reminded her that he was 5 years older. 

They made many renovations to their home over the years. Mom always had the ideas and Dad figured out how to make them happen. Of all the changes in the home, the addition of "her sunroom" gave her the greatest satisfaction. As the children finished school and moved out, there was extra time for other projects. Mom started making quilts and certainly received a lot of recognition for some of her creations. She tole painted some of Dad’s pine crafts. With an inherited eye disease and a bout of shingles in her eye, Mom had to give up some of her activities. But in time, with donor tissue, she went on to have two successful corneal transplants. 

For decades, they were extremely active in many community organizations in the New Germany area (Canada Day, Craft Fairs, Construction of Medical Centre, Lions, Seniors, card parties) and she kept Dad busy carrying in her bounty of prepared dishes for each potluck. In recent years she enjoyed the hummingbirds at her feeders and listening to the old country classics - Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline and many others. 

Shortley after Dad’s death in Dec 2021, Mom was hospitalized for three months to recover from multiple fractures.  Following her return home, with true farm girl strength and resilience, Mom was living independently within two months. 

On December 25, 2023, Mom had a fall which led to a gradual decline in her health.  She received great care under the direction of Dr. Paul Salomon and the team on the third floor of SSRH and previously at home, Lunenburg County Home Support. 

Mom is survived by sister, Wilma Dorey, Bridgewater and sister-in-law Barbara Falkenham, Halifax. She was predeceased by husband Bill Alexander, brothers Gilbert Falkenham and Myles Falkenham and sister Eleanor Grace.
 
Mom’s children include Lynn (Wayne) Morrison, Oakfield; Nancy (Garnet) Veinot, Wentzell Lake; Yvonne (Laurin) Kerr, Little Dyke; David Alexander (Corinna Durling), New Germany; and James Alexander (Cheryl), Lower Branch. Nanny’s five grandchildren are Scott & Ryan Morrison, Daniel Veinot, Tara Kerr and Kelly Graham; and the great grandchildren are Keenan and Cale Fraser, Luke and Jack Graham; step-great grandchildren Shaheem Purdon, Shakeel and Aleeyah Ramji. 

A graveside service will be held in late spring.  At Mom's request please consider donating your tissue and organs and donate to the New Germany and Area Medical Centre, 100 Varner Road, New Germany, NS B0R 1E0
   
Arrangements are entrusted to the R.A. Corkum Funeral Home, Wileville, where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.corkumfuneralhome.ca