Melanie Dawn Cousins Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Melanie Dawn Cousins 1976-2024 Mother, wife, sister, daughter, teacher and friend, Melanie Cousins grew up in Bay Saint Lawrence, in Northern Cape Breton. She moved around a lot during her life and made friends everywhere she lived. She was known for her hearty hugs and bright smile. She graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University in 1997 and did her Education degree at Fort Kent University in Maine in 2002/03. She became a teacher and found her passion. She finally settled down in East Chester, Nova Scotia, where she married Anthony Cousins and had two beautiful boys, Will and Jack Cousins. Melanie loved to celebrate, teach Grade One, fly kites, dance, camp, chase waterfalls and play on the beach with her boys. At the end of her first battle with Cancer, Melanie fought to stand up and keep moving forward so that she could continue to teach and be with her family and friends. Her last battle was a little different. She stayed strong and fought hard, but time was fleeting. She did her best to get into the ocean as much as possible, eat all the foods that would keep her strong, love, passionately, everyone around her, and pushed hard to stay in the life that she loved so that she could celebrate each day with the people around her and seek the joy. Melanie loved teaching. She loved the joy of little kids. She lived a full life from lighthouse living as a child to building community everywhere she went and most of all she loved doing things with her family. She will be missed by many for her sunshiny ways and dress up clothes and birthday celebrating and hula hoop parties. She leaves behind, her strong willed Mother, Debbie Burton, her brother Matthew Burton, her hardworking loving husband, Anthony Cousins, her beautiful, caring, kind hearted boys, Will and Jack Cousins. And so many beautiful friends and cousins that filled her up and kept her going through her life. When you think of her, she will be around in spirit, so think of her often because she was chosen too soon to leave this world. When you see her boys out in the community give them a tender word, too soon to lose their mother. And live your own life seeking out the joy and living in the moment, because the moment is all we have in the end. So much love and gratitude to all that shared in Melanie’s life. She will be missed. Quote: He said, “Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day of the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded by fret and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This new day is too dear, with it’s hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays. – Ralph Waldo Emerson In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by e-transfer to either of these 2 funds: A trust fund for Will and Jacks education. willjackcousins@gmail.com A granite bench in honour of Melanie to be at Graves Island. cousinsmemorialbench@gmail.com A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday May 25, 2024 at 11:00 am in Tuck Hall 60 Regent St. , Chester NS

Melanie Dawn Cousins

May 27, 1976 - April 19, 2024