Minnie (nee Power) Dalton

Minnie Dalton (nee Power) passed peacefully away at her home in Harbour Main surrounded by her family.  Now 96 years old, she rapidly declined in health over the last two months but as the strong willed woman we all knew and adored, she willed herself back from the brink so she could stubbornly (as she was) die surrounded by loved ones in the home and community she spent the last 70 plus years in.

Predeceased by the love of her life, her beloved Bert, her parents Bridget & David Power, mother and father in law, Mary & George Dalton, and many members of the Power and Dalton families, and her lifelong best friend Jean Dalton.

Left to mourn are her eleven children, Patricia Mahoney (John), Angeline Healey (Jerome), Georgina Maloney (Jeff), Madonna Hawco (Wayne), Maureen Badcock (Randy), Shirley Hawco (Gerard), Eileen Wade (Jim), Albert (Terri), Kevin (Cindy), Rick (Bev), Jackie Stone (Jason); her 22 grandchildren: Patricia's daughter Stephanie (Mike), Angeline's daughter Holly (Christopher), Georgina's children Jeff (Amanda), Ted (Sheri) & Jill (Pat), Madonna's children Tiffany & Mark (Katie), Maureen's daughters Melanie (Ryan), Deidre, Kayla (Jonathan) & Jaclyn (Andrew), Shirley's children Scott & Melissa (Stephen), Eileen's children Robyn (Brian) & Eric (Emma), Albert's son Noel, Kevin's children Zachary (Lorianne) & Emily (Randy), Rick's children Erica (Patrick) & Nicholas (Bobbijo), and Jackie's children Mackenzie (Jesse) & Brent, and 23 great grandchildren: Aliya, Nolan, Jessica, Katelyn, Thea, Luke, Matthew, Leah, Maci, Nate, Noah, Jack, Sophie, Jude, Landon, Kade, Brady, Beth, Brielle, Clara, Declan, Ivy & Harrison; her sisters Shirley Pennell and Joan Demetriadis (Alex), nieces and nephews and her beloved cat Ginger.

Also leaving behind a large circle of extended family members and friends, her dedicated and caring home care workers, card and bingo buddies.  She was a friend to many who she met during her well lived life. 

There could be no greater example of a modern matriarch than Minnie.  She raised her daughters to do all that the boys could do, partly out of necessity as she had a large family to feed, the gardens needed to be tended to, and the animals cared for, but partly because her girls could do it all too.

She was strong and independent, having taught herself to drive early in her married life so she didn't have to depend on her husband, which culminating in her banging up Bert's new truck running into a large rock.  Once she taught herself to drive, she took it upon herself to teach her fellow women and their children in the community too and even brought them to Hr Grace to get their license.  Her children all fondly remember piling into the family vehicle and going on weekly excursions to visit family in Salmonier and on Sunday’s for ice cream.  Ice cream was a special treat she and Bert shared and passed on to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Minnie was a lover of being “on the go”, driving from one end of Conception Bay to the other for bingo or cards, and in the summer months in particular she was always on the go.  She loved berry picking up on the ridge, she had her secret spots rife with unpicked berries that she was hesitant to share, as she lovingly used her bounty to make homemade jams, and muffins to share with her family and friends.  She also loved to be on the water, heading up to the wharf many mornings before sunrise to go fishing with her grandson, and if she could find someone else with a boat she went out as often as she could.  She experienced great pride from catching the biggest cod, and had no qualms about telling those who went out on the water without her, what she thought of that.

Family was always a cornerstone in Minnie's life, a value she passed down to her children.  Family was a broad term, once she took you in, you were in.   She showed her love by being there for those she cared for and doing everything in her power to help them.  Her family included many fur babies, as Minnie was also an animal lover.  Minnie adored her beloved cat Ginger who she called "my boy" and she loved caring for her family’s fur babies.

She was proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved to be invited to their shows, concerts, graduations and events, and rarely missed one.  Although you had to be careful with scheduling as when the event was over, Minnie was gone, as she had a game of cards or bingo to attend at night.

Minnie, a mom, a nan, a granny, a friend.  She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Resting at Dunphy’s Funeral Home, Holyrood. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Harbour Main on Wednesday, July 5th at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Harbour Main.

If friends so desire, donations in Minnie’s memory can be made to the Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Harbour Main or a charity of one’s choice.