Commends Hants County business

Re: Commendation, Reed W. Allen, funeral director

My grandmother passed away 80 years ago – yes, 80 --when my father , the oldest of four children, was 12-years-old. Over the years my father tried unsuccessfully to find his mother's unmarked grave and in 1988, he passed away without ever having found its location.

Recently I contacted the funeral home named on my grandmother's death certificate of Sept. 29, 1928 and discovered to my surprise that the Allen Funeral home is still in operation and owned by Reed W. Allen.

I had also been in contact with Ron Baxter, a wonderful Baptist Minister from Wolfville, and when I contacted Mr. Allen, he mentioned that he had been discussing my request with Mr. Baxter earlier in the day and that they knew of an old cemetery in East Walton, the place mentioned on the death certificate as the place of burial.

Both Mr. Baxter and Mr. Allen were able to provide the coordinates for the cemetery and not only did Mr. Allen go to the cemetery, located several kilometers from his funeral home in Summerville and located the grave, but sent me photographs of graves belonging to other family

members, which were also located in the “Parker Family Cemetery.”

He also provided me with information concerning a benefactor who pays for the upkeep of the grounds so that I was able to obtain permission to erect a gravestone on the site.

My husband and I returned May 30 from a trip to Nova Scotia and I am astonished that Mr. Allen not only fast-tracked my request for a grave marker but had it installed in time for our arrival in East Walton on May 28.

In addition to this, Mr. Allen took time out of his busy schedule and escorted us to the cemetery, which we would never have found on our own, and would not accept any type of compensation for his expenses, other than the cost of the headstone.

He said that it was something that “anyone” would do, but I am convinced that most people would not provide the level of caring and concern that Mr. Allen provided. Therefore, I hope that perhaps there is a column in your local newspaper to acknowledge the kindness shown to me, a stranger, by Mr. Allen.

Thank you,

Catherine (Cathy) Richards-Gray

Ottawa, Ontario