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Summers; Rachel

Posted By Obits On September 10, 2021 @ 9:17 am In Obituaries | 9 Comments

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Rachel Summers died suddenly on September 4, 2021, at the age of seventy-three, in the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. She leaves behind her sisters, Sarah and Catherine Canright, cousins John and Ingrid Clark, nephews Gates and Gareth Clark, her cat Henry, and many friends who loved her immensely. She was predeceased by her brother Peter Canright and by her parents Constance and William Canright.
For almost twenty years Rachel lived in what once had been the lighthouse keeper’s house on Long Cove Road in Port Medway, Nova Scotia. The house is on steep and remote cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. Rachel had an eclectic and diverse collection of devoted friends – neighbours, fellow artists, community gardeners, art show organizers, members of her knitting group, volunteer fire department colleagues, cat lovers, kayakers. She had a robust sense of humour, a big smile, an enchanting full-throated laugh, a huge heart, a generous temperament, and the best head of hair in Queens County. Rachel was not a “joiner” in the traditional sense. She was fiercely independent, and nothing stopped her vociferous expression of strong and sometimes challenging views. She often used fruity language.
Rachel was a woman of parts. She was an excellent artist. She was a fine gardener. She had been an emergency room nurse in New York at Bellevue and Lennox Hill hospitals. She was a Port Medway first responder. She was ready to be chucked into the ocean wearing a wet suit when the volunteer fire department practised rescues at sea. She kayaked along the shore by herself in the morning fog. She was a dedicated swimmer. She knitted sweaters. She read books. Her lamb stew and fruit pies were excellent. She liked a martini.
Rachel was born in Chicago on June 24, 1948. She spent part of her childhood in Guam, a place where she was happy. She graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New York University. She lived in New York City for thirty-five years, and loved it for a while, but eventually didn’t like what she thought the city and its society had become. She decided to leave the clamorous life and divisive politics she found increasingly unpalatable. In 2004 she moved to Canada and became a Canadian citizen. She quickly developed strong opinions about Canadian affairs.
It was a long and unusual road from Chicago to the lighthouse keeper’s house on Long Cove Road in far-off Port Medway. Rachel made this journey with style, grace, and humour. It was a joy to know her.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, NS. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com In celebration of Rachel’s life, there will be an exhibition of her art in Seely Hall, Port Medway, in early summer 2022, followed by a memorial service and the scattering of her ashes at sea.

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Condolence from Anna Mueller & Markus J. Heinis on September 10th, 2021 10:04 am

“May tender memories soften your grief,
May fond recollection bring you relief,
And may you find comfort and peace in the thought
Of the joy that knowing your loved one brought …
For time and space can never divide
Or keep your loved one from your side.
When memory paints in colors true,
the happy hours that belonged to you.”
(Helen Steiner Rice)

You are deeply missed, Rachel!
Deepest sympathy to the family.

Condolence from Sandi & Joe Simpson on September 10th, 2021 2:46 pm

Rachel will be greatly missed in the Port Medway community. Condolences to her family and friends.

Condolence from Sandy & Barry Cross on September 10th, 2021 7:24 pm

Our condolences on the passing of your sister, Rachel. She was so full of life and taken way too soon. She was a great fire fighter for the Port Medway Fire Department and will be greatly missed. She was a mentor to us as newbies to the department. She taught us many things and she made sure she got to as many calls as she could. Rest In Peace Rachel.

Condolence from Susan E Walker on September 11th, 2021 12:47 pm

Rachel was an unforgettable and fierce friend. She was talented in many areas and shared those talents with everyone she knew. We met at New York University in the early 90s when we were both changing careers, and decided to go into nursing – she was the Valedictorian of our class. She was also one of the funniest and most determined people I’ve ever known – whatever she did, she did well and fearlessly. She escaped NYC to live in Nova Scotia while I stayed put, but I was able to visit her there, and fully understood why she was so happy with her house, her paintings, and most of all, her wonderful friends. I will miss her. May she Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory – and if necessary, give God some advice.
Susan Walker

Condolence from Sue Morton on September 11th, 2021 8:33 pm

Sending thoughts of love and peace to all who loved her. “Rachel stories” will long be told and I am grateful to have been a friend.

Condolence from Lynn Farrell on September 13th, 2021 11:19 pm

Rachel.moved to Port Medway and became a part of a lot of things not least of which were the hearts of those she met here. “Until death it is all life.” And what a life!
Good bye to our dear pal who will be missed and remembered with love always.

Condolence from Dan Sinclair on September 14th, 2021 11:39 am

My sincere sympathy to Rachel’s family at this time.

Dear Rachel, we shall all miss you so much. You were the best of friends to both Louise and me and the wonderful memories of those Saturday excursions to various firemens’ breakfasts will be fused in memory forever.
Your laughter will be sorely missed, especially in these times. Rest in peace dear friend.

Condolence from Randi Dickie on September 20th, 2021 7:13 pm

With thoughts of Rachel and her family and friends, it is sad to think of her sudden passing . I knew Rachel for a short period as a Nurse and thought well of her inspirational ways and willingness to help when needed. A very interesting and talented person as she chose a most beautiful spot to live in her later years . She will be missed in her creativity and her ability to take a less beaten path !

Condolence from Craig Neff on October 6th, 2021 4:57 pm

Please know how much Rachel and her fearless, feisty, funny, smart, loving self will be missed. I and my late wife, Pamelia Markwood Neff, knew her both in New York City and on the coast of Maine, where we moved in 2008. Pamelia (aka Pammie), who was an artist, met Rachel through fellow artist Margaret Krug. They shared hilarious times and serious talks and constant creativity in New York and Italy, at Margaret’s art programs at Spannocchia. After we moved to Maine, Rachel would drive down from Nova Scotia every June (usually transporting a load of beeswax candles made by a neighbor) to help us set up our nature shop/exploratorium, The Naturalist’s Notebook, for the summer season. (The candles were among the items we sold.). We loved her visits and hugely appreciated her help, which included everything from painting walls to pricing merchandise. Every night we had great dinners. I can’t fully grasp yet that Rachel is gone, but I know that she lives on, and always will, in my memory and my heart. I feel lucky to have counted her as a friend and to have felt her support when Pamelia died in 2018. I hope all who knew Rachel will find strength in the love we all had for her.

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