Our loving mother, nanny, Alva McDormand passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025 at the age of 99 with daughter Betty Anne by her side at Tideview Terrace in Digby. Alva was born on December 6, 1925, at home in Westport, Brier Island, NS to parents Leonard Alfred and Viola Evangeline (O'Connell) Garron. She was a devoted wife to Charles McDormand (Charlie Boy, as his grandfather called him). They were married in 1943 and shared 62 years together and raised their family on Brier Island. A loving mother to Richard (Marilyn) McDormand, James (Crystal) McDormand and Betty Anne (Charles) O'Connell. She was also a loving grandmother to Jantina (Terry), Erik (Alison), Natashia, Ian (Kelly), Sean (Laura), Ryan and Maria. She was blessed with five great grandchildren, Sam, Emma, Skyler, Jake and Lillian. She dedicated her life to her husband and family and was always there to show love, kindness, support and generosity. She loved to cook and we all will miss her deep-fried scallops and lobster, lobster and fish chowders and all the sweets she would put on the table. One of her passions was knitting and she knit many Mary Maxim sweaters for the family and others. She knit many pairs of wool mittens for her family and fishermen on the island, and many children of the island received a pair of her colorful mittens. One of her specialties was baby sweater sets and almost every baby born on the island received one. Also, all the homemade quilts that each family member received will never be forgotten. Alva was an active member of the Church of Christ all her life, was a treasurer for the Super Seniors for many years and was always available for community volunteer work. Through the years she worked at the Westport Co-op, the D&D Grill and for ten years she was employed by Statistics Canada doing labor force surveys on the islands. She enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing on the "Brier Patch" with her husband. She also enjoyed travelling and visiting family and friends. Her kindness, generosity and stories have touched the lives of many, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Alva was predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Viola Garron; husband, Charles; brothers, Alfred Garron, George Garron; sisters, Maureen Swift, Iris Rogers and Beth Welch; son, James. She is survived by brother Eldridge Garron. The family would like to thank the staff at Tideview Terrace and a special thanks for the kindness, compassion and friendship she received at the Conway House. Celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Church of Christ, Westport. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Church of Christ or Sail2 (Save an Island Lighthouse). Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., toll free 1-855-825-3448. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com