Community gathers to honour young mother with deep Antigonish County roots
ANTIGONISH COUNTY — The family of Autumn Michelle DeCoste, 27, originally from Tracadie in Antigonish County and most recently of Haileybury, Ont., has announced her passing on July 11, 2026. Funeral arrangements, released by C.L. Curry Funeral Home, outline opportunities for the public to pay their respects next week in Antigonish and Tracadie.
DeCoste was born in Antigonish and maintained close ties to her home community. According to the family obituary, she cherished time spent outdoors and with loved ones, and took greatest pride in becoming a mother to her three daughters. The family notes that she preferred life without fanfare and valued simple moments with those closest to her.
Public visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish. A Funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, July 23, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church in Tracadie, with Fr. John Barry presiding. Interment will take place in the parish cemetery.
“Her biggest wish was for her girls to always feel loved, to always be brave, and to be true to themselves.”
Survived by close-knit family across Antigonish County and beyond
DeCoste is survived by her parents, Ashley DeCoste of Edmonton and Bradley Boyle of Afton; her partner, Kaiden Mckinnon; and her three daughters, Hope, Mia and Ridge. She is also survived by her brother, Alex Boyle (Megan Russell); sister, Audrey Boyle; and niece, Peyton Boyle. Grandparents Ellsworth and Yvonne (Mattie) DeCoste of Tracadie, as well as several aunts and uncles — including Dahlia (Dan Lagace) of Upper Tantallon; Ellsworth “Pook” of Afton; Jed of Lower South River; and Kyle (Elizabeth Greencorn) and Austin of Monastery — are also among her survivors.
She was predeceased by her uncle, Rayphael, and paternal grandparents, Eugene and Jeannie Boyle.
Service details and ways to pay tribute
The family is welcoming the community to attend the visitation and funeral services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to organizations identified by the family.
| Event | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Visitation | Wed., July 22, 2026 2–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. | C.L. Curry Funeral Home 135 College St., Antigonish |
| Funeral Mass | Thu., July 23, 2026 11 a.m. | St. Peter’s Church Tracadie |
| Burial | Following Mass | Parish cemetery, Tracadie |
Donations and condolences
- Memorial donations: Hope for Wildlife and the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia have been named by the family.
- Condolences: Online messages can be shared through the funeral home’s website at clcurry.com.
Residents from across Antigonish County and Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore who knew DeCoste through family, school or community ties will have two opportunities on July 22 to visit and offer condolences. The funeral service in Tracadie the next day is expected to bring together extended family and friends from both Nova Scotia and Ontario.
The obituary describes DeCoste as someone who drew happiness from simple traditions — time at the beach, long drives and evenings around a campfire — and whose legacy is reflected in the values she hoped to instil in her children. As the community prepares to gather later this week, the service details released by the family offer a clear path for anyone wishing to remember her life and support those she leaves behind.
