Edna Willena Boutilier

In the presence of her loving family, Edna Willena (Brown) Boutilier, 88, passed away peacefully at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care Unit, on Friday, December 5, 2025. She was formerly a resident of Seaview Manor, Glace Bay.

Born and raised in Glace Bay, Edna was the daughter of Bernard and Effie Brown (nee MacIntosh). She later married and took great pride in raising her sons in Passchendaele and later in Bridgeport.

In her younger years, she was involved with the TOPS weight-loss program and was immensely proud to earn the “Queen of the Atlantic Charter” title in recognition of her success. She later travelled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to represent her charter.

Edna enjoyed her time with the neighbourhood ladies’ club, sharing tea, sweets, and good company. She loved travelling across Canada and the United States, taking in memorable sights and experiences, and especially cherished her visits with family in Nanaimo, British Columbia. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, and spending summer days swimming on the beach, particularly at Chimney Corner, Cape Breton.

She is survived by her loving sons Robert (Janet) of Glace Bay and Bradley (Charlene) of Hatchet Lake. As well as her grandchildren, Kevin (Kaelyn), Kelsey (Bryan), Sarah, Logan, Jaelyn, and numerous nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her brothers, Bobby (Linda) of Nanaimo, Donald of Sydney; sister Loretta Muttart of Charlottetown; and her sisters-in-law Olive of Mira Gut, Sandra, and Diane of Nanaimo.

Edna was predeceased by her eldest son, Kevin, in adolescence. Edna was also predeceased by numerous siblings: sister Rita MacDonald (Edwin), best friend and twin sister, Eleanor Gouthro (Harry), brothers Art, Roland (Freida), Jimmy, Paddy (Marilyn), Alex (Muriel), and Rohn; and brother-in-law Robert.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, 1510 Grand Lake Rd., Sydney, N.S. (902) 562-2005. Funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Church, 234 Seaview St., Glace Bay, N.S. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 2pm; reception will follow in the church hall. Interment will be determined at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Church or Alzheimer’s Society Nova Scotia.

Thank you to the doctors and staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Emergency Department and Palliative Care Unit for their professional care.

There is but one and only one,

Whose love will fail you never.

One who lives from sun to sun,

With constant fond endeavor.

There is but one and only one,

On earth there is no other.

In heaven a noble work was done

When God created Mother.