With her heart overflowing with love, our beautiful Mumma, Della Bernice (Ingraham) Jefferson (89), gently slipped away in the early moonlit hours of January 30, 2026, joining her Phillips-Ingraham family in everlasting joy.

Born in Belle Cote on October 31, 1936, she was the daughter of Alfred and Annie (Phillips) Ingraham, and the second youngest in a large family of five brothers and five sisters, all of whom predeceased her.

Before marriage, Della worked as a telephone operator, but her true passion was caregiving. She shared that gift generously—not only as a devoted aunt and mother to her own family, but also to the many children she lovingly babysat while living in Conquerall Bank, Dartmouth, and River John. Following twelve years of life and work on the family dairy farm, Della faced the challenge of going it on her own, and she did so with remarkable strength and courage. She embraced her independence by learning to drive, purchasing her own little home, and working full time as a personal caregiver for numerous elderly folk.

Della also became deeply involved in her beloved River John community. She was a dedicated member of Salem United Church, contributed faithfully to the Ladies Auxiliary of the River John Volunteer Fire Department, and took great pleasure in bowling with her River John bowling group. Music was a constant in her life, and she especially cherished harmonizing with the West Branch Area Singers.

In the final chapter of her life, Della was blessed to be surrounded by the love and care of the incredible nurses and caregivers of Willow Lodge in Tatamagouche. Her quick wit and sense of humor were appreciated by all; and, ever thoughtful of others, she often offered a place on her little bed for them—and Willow the cat—to sit and rest, knowing how hard they worked.

Though we are devastated to lose this remarkable lady who comforted us with her warm embraces and her homemade woolen socks, dishcloths, tea biscuits, rolls, and famous carrot cake, we find comfort in knowing she can now rest easy—something she more than earned.

Della leaves behind her greatest pride and joy: her five children and their spouses, Ruby & Gerry Bowles, Dana & Faye Jefferson, Kevin & Dianne Jefferson, Lisa Jefferson, and Amanda & Leo Gillis; her eleven grandchildren: Shawn (Tracey) Heighton, Dustin Jefferson (& Biss), James (Lori) Bowles, Abi (David) Soeder, Robert (Robyn) Jefferson, Arthur (Lauren) Jefferson, Anni Rose and Leah Jefferson, and Colin, Michael and Magnus Gillis; and her fourteen great-grandchildren: Desmond, Elliott, Malcolm, Kathleen, Michelle, Eric, Amelia, Nathan, Timothy, Sadie, Beatrice, Cyrus, Caroline, and Calvin.

She was predeceased by her former spouse Terry Jefferson, her parents, all ten siblings, and her beloved infant grandson, Michael Jefferson.

Donations may be made in her memory to Willow Lodge Home for Special Care in Tatamagouche, the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital Foundation, the River John Volunteer Fire Department or any charity of one's choice.

A 'Celebration of Life' will be held this spring; details will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Coulter's Funeral Home, Tatamagouche.

"Turn Again to Life"

(by Mary Lee Hall)

If I should die and leave you here a while,
Be not like others sore undone,
Who keep long vigil by the silent dust.
For my sake turn again to life and smile,
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
Something to comfort other hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.