Geneviève Petitpas Pellerin

The daughter of Peter Petitpas and Sophie Linden, Geneviève Petitpas was born at Larry's River, Nova Scotia on 14 March 1889 and married Augustus Pellerin in Larry's River on 5 February 1907. To the Acadian community in the Tor Bay area, she was simply Mémie (grandma) - a special name reserved for the most caring and loving ladies of the community. A generous lady with exceptional cooking skills, Geneviève never let a visitor leave her home without samples of her wonderful culinary creations. From her mother she learned the much-needed skills of a mid-wife - a important role in the isolated Tor Bay area. For over 40 years Geneviève assisted mothers in birthing their children - helping deliver at least 247 crying babies. Even with the death of husband in 1948 and her age taking its toll, this outstanding Mémie did not stop. A loyal friend would take her by horse and wagon or sleigh to expectant mothers throughout the countryside - often husbands had to shovel the winter snow to allow her to reach their expectant wives. To all that she touched, her loving nature and self-confidence brought a sense of calm and relief as they awaited her arrival.