Iona Frances Charlton

Iona Frances Charlton, 80, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 25th, 2026 at the South Shore Regional Hospital after a brief illness.

Born on May 18th, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Hazel (Rock) Halliday and she grew up in Granville Beach, N.S.

Iona worked as the Campground Supervisor at Kejimkujik National Park, and was the smiling face that greeted new and returning campers at the Campground Kiosk for twenty-nine years. In her retirement, she enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. She travelled frequently to visit family and no matter where the event, she never missed a family occasion, until very recently when she was unable to travel.

Iona had a strength and determination that was evident to everyone who met her. She studied and achieved her GED while she had two small children. In her later years, despite age and ailments, she persevered to remain in her home. Throughout her life, she made many large and small sacrifices, and strove to ensure that Chris, Cindy and Colin had a world of opportunities and that they knew nothing was impossible. She set an expectation and example that life required hard work and good choices, and she was so proud to see those qualities in her children and grandchildren.

She was an avid sportswoman and uncanny marksman who inevitably got her deer, and several moose on excursions to Newfoundland. She only gave up hunting when she concluded that her shoulder probably wouldn’t survive the kick from the rifle. Iona was a keen reader who fell in love with the Zane Grey novels as a child and never stopped exploring the world through books. She played crib like a pro, poker like a shark, and was convinced that the next lotto draw was the one where her numbers were finally going to come up.

Iona was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was fiercely loyal and protective, firm yet forgiving, quick to offer support and never shy to offer an opinion. She loved lobsters, card parties, puzzles, and more than anything, family gatherings where she always beamed at having the people she loved all in one place.

Her faith sustained her on occasions when life was harsh and when age began to slow her down, and she was unwavering in her dedication to Saint Paul’s United Church in Maitland Bridge.

Iona is survived by son Chris (Tom Jackson), Ottawa, daughter Cindy (Ray) Forrest, Caledonia, and son Colin, Yellowknife; her grandchildren Brandon (Rachael) and Nathan (Nichole) Forrest, Devinne, Colton (Dacota), and Braiden Charlton; and great grandchildren Willa, Waverly, Walker, Jayla, Renlee, Avery, Royden, Amelia, Zoe, Braiden, Atticus and Xander. She will be forever in our thoughts. She will also be lovingly remembered by her sister Mae West, and brothers Richard and Neil (Susan) Halliday, and many nieces and nephews.

Iona was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Royden Charlton, and her companion Carman Westhaver; brothers, Roland, Frank, baby Robert, Rob, Francis, and sisters, Evelyn Halliday, Doris Hebb, Ruth Fredericks and Marie Hebb.

Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of the Chandlers’ Funeral Home in Liverpool.

A funeral service to celebrate Iona’s life will be held at a future date, when the snow has melted and the flowers are in bloom. The service will be followed by interment in the Maplewood Cemetery alongside her husband, Royden. The community will host a reception following the interment at the Maitland Bridge Community Hall and welcome Iona’s friends and family to drop by for a story or two. This obituary will be updated when the date is chosen.

Memorial donations may be made to the North Queens Fire Department or the Maplewood Cemetery Maintenance fund. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com