Obituaries

Beverley Ann (Anthony) Hanley, 78, of Bridgewater, formerly of Timberlea, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, at the Nova Scotia Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Bev was the daughter of the late Gerald and Dorothy (Cross) Anthony. From a young age, she had a warm smile, a kind heart, and a natural gift for making everyone feel welcome and at home. She was always the first to lend a hand and the last to quit—long after most would have called it a day. She also lived by strong morals and values, which she followed faithfully and gently passed on to those around her. She touched countless lives, leaving behind memories her family and friends will treasure forever.

She married the love of her life, Paul, and together they worked side-by-side, making many sacrifices along the way. It wasn’t unusual to find her out in the garage with him—or even standing in knee-deep snow—holding a light or a wrench. She even teamed up with him in the winter, each in their own truck, plowing. Together, they built a home filled with good times, music, stability, and the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. During their 58 years of marriage, they shared adventures both big and small—from family vacations in Florida to road trips and countless celebrations, where Bev’s kindness lit up the room and her spread of homemade food filled both plates and take-home containers. No one ever left hungry.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, but above all, “Nana” to her cherished grandchildren, Nolan and Fallon. They were her pride and joy, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them—reading, gardening, sharing stories, offering gentle wisdom, and teaching them to cook, bake, and even swim. She happily retired to care for them from the day they were born and never looked back. She also had a gift for teaching and a natural instinct to care for others, whether that meant offering advice, lending a hand, or quietly going without so someone else could have more.

Bev loved music and dancing, was an avid reader, and had a green thumb for her vegetable gardens. She adored flowers—though Paul had a habit of mowing them over. Bev was also known for her meticulous hair, never leaving her room until it was just right, and if it got messed up, she’d wash and style it again, sometimes more than once a day. She often joked she’d sleep sitting up if it meant keeping it just so. Bev loved Christmas, and her tree was always perfectly shaped and beautifully decorated with silver garland diamonds, each framing a single red bulb—her favourite colour. It was picture perfect every year,

She is survived by her devoted husband, Paul; daughter Angela Hanley-Keefe (David) of Timberlea; sister Jo-Ann Anthony-Doggett (Brian) of Chester; brothers Phillip Anthony (Shauna) of Cape Breton and Stephen Anthony of Liverpool; sister-in-law Anne Anthony of Halifax; grandchildren Nolan Keefe of Timberlea and Fallon Keefe of Halifax; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; brothers Gerald (Sonny) and Douglas Anthony; sister Barbara (Anthony) Wolfe; and niece Mary-Elizabeth Doggett.

Cremation has taken place, and a private family service will be held at a later date.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Willow Hall, Nova Scotia Hospital, for the exceptional care, compassion, and support they provided to Bev and her family.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, designated for dementia research.