Mercedes Mary Ballen

Ballem, Mercedes Mary – passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, Nova Scotia. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Mercedes was the daughter of the late John and Grace Ballem.

Mercedes valued education and lifelong learning. She attended high school in Calgary before continuing her studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. She later earned her Master's degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

Her career reflected her exceptional command of language and passion for the written word. Mercedes began her professional life as an editor with a publishing house in Toronto, a position she held for five years. She later served as an assistant to a Member of Parliament in Ottawa before becoming Press Secretary to the Minister of Science and Technology. After moving to the the United States, she continued to pursue her love of language as a freelance editor, working closely with her father, who was a well-known author of mystery novels. Following her retirement in 2020, Mercedes returned to Nova Scotia.

There was no one quite like her, a passionate and loving soul who embraced the world around her with open arms and heart. And there was so much to embrace. Animals – particularly parrots, cats, dogs and horses – were especially important to her. Adventures and travel were also a central focus in her life – horseback riding on beaches in Mexico, kayaking among wild horses in Arizona, zip lining in Costa Rica, hiking at Machu Picchu, riding zodiacs in Galapagos, snorkelling among sharks in Tahiti, listening to trees in the forest of Haida Gwaii.

She was a dedicated supporter of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and Hope for Wildlife and found great joy in the outdoors. She was also an accomplished horseback rider whose love of adventure remained with her throughout her life.

Mercedes sparkled wherever she went. She will be remembered for her intelligence, curiosity, adventurous nature, and her lifelong love of learning, literature, and the natural world.

Mercedes is survived by her husband, Jacques Giard; brothers, Flavelle Ballem of Toronto, Ontario, and John Ballem (Jacqueline Alvarado) of London, Ontario. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Peter Ballem.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Burlington Cemetery. Arrangement have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St. Middleton, toll free 1-855-825-3448. Online guestbook may be viewed and signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com