Obituaries

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we, the family of Geraldine (Jerri) Costa, born in Manhattan, NYC, daughter of the late Sydelle (Stern) and Louis Costa, announce her passing at Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home, Halifax, NS on April 30th, 2022 at the age of 88. Jerri Costa dazzled family, friends and acquaintances with her beauty inside and out along with her ever recognizable New York, New York voice frame of mind and attire! After leaving the world of High Fashion, New York City, Jerri decided on a more serene life and moved with her family to Bear River, Nova Scotia. It was in Bear River that she began the Icarus Candle Shop…Jerri could do anything and she did! Soon she continued on to add bus tours around Bear River and environs and more. During her time in Bear River she travelled to Digby and worked at the Metropolitan store as she never wanted her daughters to go without so even though she did not enjoy that work and it paid very little she stayed there for a couple of years. After many loving years in Bear River Jerri later moved to Digby. When Jerri first moved to Digby she worked at the Digby Medical Centre and enjoyed that work very much. Jerri always wanted to make a difference in the communities she lived in and always thought how could she impact her community even more…Jerri was so community driven and always made sure she was actively participating in the communities she lived in. It was her mission to improve the lives of others in whatever way she could and to help people reach their full potential. She was employed as Supervisor at the Provincial Digby Resource Centre which is where she began her human service work which she loved. When she Was hired by the Province of NS work she continued her work with DALA because it was her dream to continue that work with those she wanted to make a difference for. Perhaps, her most outstanding achievement was the founding of the Digby Area Learning Association (DALA). Jerri single handedly fundraised enough money to create the Digby Area Learning Association which later on was ultimately brought under the aegis of the Nova Scotia Community College. She was Director of the Digby Area Learning Association and her impact was extraordinary as she was instrumental in helping those she worked with to changing their lives for the better. If asked, they would tell you she made a huge difference in their lives. When she was hired by the Province of NS work she continued her work with DALA because it was her dream to continue that work as the impact she had on those she worked with was always something she cherished. After several years in Digby she then moved to Annapolis Royal. Jerri had chutzpah! You had to admire her for her many achievements. In Annapolis Jerri became involved in the Arts community and her special love was joining a painting group of women who all became the dearest of friends. With no prior experience, she became a more than acceptable painter and like everything else excelled in her art and in making great life-long friends. Her Wolfville gang was a highlight in her life – she would meet with them every month to have lunch, laugh, share stories and made lots of memories with them. She also managed to fit into her schedule - both acting and dancing in the local theatre. In addition, she also became deeply involved as a volunteer with many groups and in 2009, was selected as Volunteer of the Year for Annapolis County. To add a few of her many accomplishments - were Chairman of the Digby Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Kings Theatre, Deputy Chair of the Cornwallis Park Development…and don’t forget, she was a great friend…she loved to party…she loved people near and far…Jerri never met a stranger! Jerri was a fixture at the Bedford Basin Farmer’s Market where she went every day for coffee and then for lunch with her family every Sunday. She became so well- known there and the staff treated her like family. There was never a person she wouldn’t talk too and who she always told she loved. She adored her entire family as saw them as the gift of her greatest accomplishments! Her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren were everything to her and her love for them was immeasurable. Mindy and Caryn would like to say that our mom had some many outstanding accomplishments in every way, with her professional accolades, friends and colleagues, we wish to take a minute to say what having her as a mother meant. She single handedly raised us to afford us every opportunity she felt would be great for us. Her hard work allowed us to go to sleep away camp every summer to get out of the city. She enrolled us in art classes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art so we could explore culture. She never wavered, never faltered, and no matter the situation she was always there for us. There were so many things she did, too numerous to mention. She worked multiple jobs as her only objective was to provide the best life, she could for us. Nova Scotia became her home, she embraced it and Nova Scotia embraced her. Mom was fierce in her love for family and protected us at all costs. She loved unconditionally even when we were at fault (which we did not get away with). It’s very difficult to put into a few words what she meant to us, but to all who knew her knows she was the rock of this family. Mom, we couldn’t love you more. Go in peace knowing you were so loved and your impact on so many. You will be forever etched in all of us. We know you are at peace. Heaven has gained an angel. We will hold you in our hearts each and every day. You were always the one, you will always be the one and we will honor you always. We love you endlessly. Jerri leaves behind her loving husband, Wayne Morgan, her special daughters, Mindy Thaler of Powder Springs, Georgia, Caryn Small Legs-Nagge (Patrick) of Waverley, Nova Scotia, her precious and special granddaughters Jodi Nicholson of Fall River, NS, Sara Ordinelli (Nick) of Elmsdale, NS, and Erica Nagge (Michael) of Dartmouth, NS , her most loved and treasured great grandchildren, Avah, Ameliah and Elijah Nicholson…as well as her loving brother Robert Costa (Christie) of Wellfleet, Mass. and her loving sister, Lynn Nance (Kent) of Boca Raton, Florida A very special thanks for love and laughter goes to a good friend, her home care worker Chris Murphy, (Jerri’s Chrissy) who spent every day for the past several years singing his heart out, telling jokes and taking tender and loving caring of Jerri in a way that was always above and beyond. Jerri always said Chris was a part of our family and considered him one of her children. Special thanks to Beth Earle, a longtime and dear friend to Jerri for many, many years. Jerri would often say Beth was her best friend - Beth called Jerri every week and their conversations were always full of love and lots of laughter. Jerri had many, many friends in Bear River, Digby and Annapolis Royal and we thank them all for being a big part of Jerri’s life. Our deepest gratitude to the 5th Floor staff at Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home who provided comfort care to Jerri in her final weeks. As well to the Neurology team on 7.4 at the Halifax Infirmary for the excellent care provided to Jerri during the three months prior to being transferred to Saint Vincent’s. Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held in the next week. There will be a celebration of life later this summer for all Jerri’s friends and other family members who live away and wish to share their fond memories of Jerri. A date for this event will be provided in the coming weeks.