Saturday March 23, 2013
PIERS, JanetPIERS, Janet R.M. It is with great sadness that our family announces the death of Janet at her home 'The Quarter Deck' in the village of Chester on March 15, 2013. Born in 1914 in Halifax Nova Scotia, she was a daughter of the late Professor Murray Macneill, Dean of Mathematics and Registrar of Dalhousie University, and of Kathleen Holmes. Janet was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, Rear-Admiral Desmond (Debby) William Piers, also by sisters, Edith Girouard, and Isabel Macneill. She is survived by her daughter, Anne Baker, daughter by Janet's first husband, the late Captain Hon. Peter Rudyard Aitken. She is also survived by three grandsons, Hugh (Anne McDonough), Philip (Jeanetta Hoffman), Piers (Katherine Gleason) and seven great-grand children, Justin, Jamie, Erin, Jillian, Adrienne, Isabella and Max, and many special nieces, nephews and cousins. Our dear 'Gran Jan' was much loved and an inspiration to the whole family. Janet's ashes will at a later date, and in the presence of family, be placed with her husband in the Naval Columbarium of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Halifax. A memorial service will be held in St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Chester Nova Scotia at a later date. Janet showed great courage and spirit during the last years of her life. We would like to acknowledge the wonderful care given by Dr. George Jollymore, Drs. John & Donna Curry, Dr. Heather Mackinnon, Dr. George Sapp, and Dr. Karen Cox and the important service of Lynn Key's 'Heart to Heart In-Home Care.' Special thanks to Anna Corkum, her devoted housekeeper of 10 years, also to Cheryl & Michelle Perry, Cindy Boutelier and Kate Dwyer. Thanks go out to her unwavering supporters: The Royal Canadian Navy; The Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association, (affectionately known as 'Her Boys') of which she was Patron-in-Chief; The Royal Military College of Canada; The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Llewellyn (of which she was Patron) and many special friends. Janet's dedication to others was revealed by her involvement and the great joy she took in the Chester Garden Club, 'Tuesday Painters,' Chester Art Centre & Chester Playhouse, as well as encouraging and giving support to skating, tennis, curling and golf. Near the end of her life she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her service to country and community. Memorial donations, if desired may be made to: The Canadian Cancer Society - Nova Scotia Division; ''The Chester Navy League'' for the Llewellyn Sea Cadets; The Chester Brass Band; 'Our Health Centre' (OHC); or to a charity of choice. Condolences & memorial donations may be sent to Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 594, Chester N.S. B0J 1J0 or by email: or fax/902-275-3811