Payne (Wagner), Mayola Eugenia "Mae"

Chester, NS

July 14, 2025

Mayola Eugenia (Wagner) Payne of Chester, better known as Mae, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 14, 2025, at the age of 96.

Mae was born in Farmington, NS.  She moved to Chester at the young age of 16, where she met the love of her life, Joseph Payne, and where she worked, volunteered, and raised their five children (and called "Momma Payne" by many others in the neighbourhood – you know who you are!).

Mae was well known for her cooking.  She worked at the Chester Yacht Club for 29 years serving many meals to hungry sailors.  She then worked at the Chester Municipal High School in the cafeteria where students and staff enjoyed her home-cooked meals.  On turkey burger days the lineup went out into the hallway of the school. She also catered at private functions and spent many hours volunteering in the kitchen at the Legion.

Mae was a lifelong member of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #44 and the Chester Yacht Club.   She took on many roles at the Chester Legion, where people still talk about her baked beans, which were often on the breakfast menu.  She received the Palm Leaf Award, the highest volunteer recognition of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Mae was a very welcoming and sociable person.  There have been many gatherings of family and friends over the years.  The Back Harbour really came to life when her family arrived from Calgary.  There was always good food, music and laughter!    She not only welcomed people into her home but a number of kittens over the years as well.  She was a cat lover!

In the summer you could find her on the Dart, out boating with family and friends visiting the islands of Mahone Bay, enjoying some bunwiches and a few beverages which may have involved a glass or two of wine or a glass of spirit.

She also loved to knit, outfitting her family with sweaters, socks, and mittens.  In recent years she shared her mittens with many children on Halloween.  She also donated baby bonnets and pneumonia vests for sick children.

Mae was also an avid reader, and enjoyed jigsaw and word puzzles.   A special thanks to the South Shore Regional library and the bookmobile staff for keeping Mae in books these last few years.Mae enjoyed many hours on her deck overlooking the view of the back harbour and all company that came by, including the monarch butterflies. Mae brought sunshine into this world, always giving and lending a helping hand.  She will always be our sunshine!

Mae was predeceased by her loving husband Joseph Payne, sons Grant and Boyd, mother Violet Wagner, brother Philip Joudrey.  She is survived by her children Gary (Sharon) Alberta, Wayne (Trudy) Chester, Cosette Howlett (Tony) Chester;sister Etta, Ontario; daughters-in-law Betty (Grant) Chester, Fran Payne and Krystal Payne Alberta; grandchildren David, Daniel, Joey, Jared, Kandyce, Kyle, Zachary and Emily; and her great-grandchildren Tyler, Saige, Rhys, Nixon, Nash, Noah, Navy, Grayson and Weston.

A special thanks to the Mahone Bay Nursing Home for their care and compassion of Mae and her family during her stay there especially during her final days.

Celebration of life will be held at the Chester Legion, Friday, July 18 at 2 p.m.  Burial to follow at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Cemetery, Chester.  All welcome!

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Chester Volunteer Fire Department, Chester Legion Poppy Fund, District of Chester PRO Kids or charity of choice.