Obituary of Anna Catherine Adams

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Anna Adams passed away very peacefully on January 22, 2026, a fitting conclusion to what she happily called a quiet and peaceful life.

Born the third of seven children to Harold and Irene (Taylor) Baxter on December 21, 1937, Anna grew up on the family farm in Addington Forks. After High School she attended secretarial school in Halifax, returning to Antigonish and working for the Superintendent of Highways.  

In 1962 Anna married Allan Adams and moved to Cape George, happily settling into a 63-year marriage.  She worked for a time at the St. George’s Co-op in Ballantyne’s Cove before beginning her family. The fishing, school, and church seasons would come to dictate the rhythm of life.  

Anna was a constant, quiet presence in the community.  She volunteered throughout our school years – on the Home and School Association, in the school canteen, helping students with speech therapy, whatever was needed.  Countless plates of sweets and sandwiches were made for weekly card parties and community gatherings.  

Church was central to Anna’s life - Sunday morning services, church committees, teaching Sunday School, getting us to church choir and youth groups.  For 50 years she served as treasurer at St. David’s United Church.  In her latter years when getting out was difficult, she was grateful for online services. When faced with life’s inevitable losses, she drew on the strength of her faith to keep moving forward.

To her family Anna always seemed to be packing a lunch, taking a pan of cookies from the oven, preparing a batch of jam or pickles, or making a meal.  She loved the old ways, using recipes from her mother, grandmother and special aunt Annie Baxter, for whom she was named.  Those traditions grounded her, and we were so fortunate to have been raised with them.  

Anna’s grandchildren were a particular joy to her, she loved keeping track of school progress, sporting achievements, and big family dinners.  

The family would like to offer particular appreciation to those who provided such kindness and care for Anna during her final months.  The residents and staff of the Maples Retirement Community, the medical staff at St. Martha’s GARU and Palliative Care Units, Dr. Patricia McKenna, and to Rev. Peter Smith for his ongoing spiritual care.  

In addition to her parents Anna was predeceased by: her brother Raymond and sister-in-law Joan Baxter; sister Margaret and brother-in-law Harold ‘Himmie’ Ballantyne; sister Alice, brother-in-law Gerald Bent, son-in-law Tom Peck, nephew Daryl Baxter, and great-niece Madison Otto.  

She is survived by: her husband Allan; son Brenton (Kelly) Cape George; daughter Brenda (David) Chiasson, Dartmouth; daughter Lynn (the late Tom Peck), Dartmouth; grandchildren Lauren, Jarrod and Samantha Chiasson and John Allan Peck, and step-granddaughter Lauren Boyle; sisters Ruth Bent, Dartmouth and Clare (Johnny) Savoie, Dalhousie NB, brother George (Anne) Baxter, Addington Forks, and her many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Family flowers only please.  Those wishing to make memorial gifts might consider St. David’s United Church, Cape George or the St. Martha’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit c/o St. Martha's Regional Hospital Foundation.

Visitation will be held Wednesday January 28, 7-9 p.m. and Thursday January 29, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street, Antigonish.  The funeral service will take place from St. James United Church, Antigonish at 11 a.m. on Friday January 30, with a reception to follow in the church hall.  Burial at a later date in St. David’s United Church cemetery, Cape George.