Obituary of Nova Lorraine Rochford
NOVA LORRAINE ROCHFORD (Nee Haynes) passed away peacefully at home with family by her side, 25 September 2026. Nova was born 11 September 1943 in Digby Nova Scotia. She married at 16 and settled in Dartmouth. Nova’s first marriage ended after four years following which she gave birth to her only child. Two years later she met Donald “Rocky” Rochford, the true love of her life. She and Rocky married 12 October 1968 and remained together until his passing 15 January 2021.
Nova lived most of her life in Nova Scotia however, Rocky’s service to the RCN brought them twice to the Ottawa area (69-70 and 90-91) and once to Esquimalt BC (77-80). In retirement she and Rocky moved to Digby then, after a time, moved to Yarmouth. From there, in 2019, they relocated to Perth Ontario close to their family. In her early years Nova worked in jewelry then later as a property rental agent. She and Rocky ran a B & B in their home for a number of years and also operated two restaurants in Dartmouth (Nova’s Place). At 60 years old she completed the real estate course and hung her shingle as a Real Estate Agent for five years (fulfilling a lifelong dream). While in BC Nova completed high school as a full-time student - a significant accomplishment for a mother whose teenaged son was daily walking out of the same classrooms she was walking into.
Nova was predeceased by her husband “Rocky,” her father Harry, her mother Marie, her siblings Rachel (infant), Keith, Garry, and David “Chubby,” She is survived by her son Michael (Mary), granddaughter Rebecca Mcshane (Mark), great grandchildren Aislinn, Macallister, and Finnegan, siblings Clytie Bainbridge, Donna Ollivier, Harry “Mickey” Haynes, Tammy Shannon (Wayne), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Nova was a friendly, classy lady with a taste for finer things in life. She (and Rocky) often hosted dinner parties in their home for family, friends, and sometimes business acquaintances. She loved her family dearly and always had time for each one. She is missed and we sorrow at our loss but, she placed her faith in Lord Jesus Christ as a child and we are joyful knowing that she is “absent from the body and present with the Lord.” Cremation has taken place. A private family celebration of her life will be held at a time to be determined.
