A Life That Lifted Others

There’s a saying that a society grows great when people plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit. It was one of Meghan Bragg's favourite quotes, and she lived by those words.

“From a very young age Meghan was keen on not having anyone left out. She was just so kindhearted, compassionate and empathetic,” says Meghan’s sister Courtney. “She was always asking how can we make this a community where everyone gets a chance?”

Meghan was a councillor in the Town of Westville, Pictou Co., N.S., when she passed away on July 31, 2023. She was just 37. 

“I can't even begin to explain the potential that she had and contributions she was going to make, not just to Westville, but the entire province,” says Lennie White, mayor of Westville, a town of about 3,500. “She wanted to do things for the right reasons. She had a real desire to make change and make things better for people.”

One of her last wishes was that any donations that might come in after her death be put towards an accessible and inclusive playground for Westville, a project that had been a dream of hers for some time.

“This is someone who knew they were dying,” says Lennie, who texted with Meghan a few days before her death. “And here she was, thinking of doing something of this nature, not to create a legacy for her but to help others.”

In June 2025, The Sobey Foundation presented a $100,000 cheque to the Town of Westville to help complete Meghan’s Place. That partnership with Meghan’s Place is very meaningful, says Courtney Bragg, Meghan’s sister. “It says to me that The Sobey Foundation cares about communities and is working to build up spaces that we can grow together.” Front row: Lisa Hames, The Sobey Foundation, Evelyn Dickie (Lisa’s daughter); Mayor Lennie White, Town of Westville. Back row: Councillor Mitchell MacGregor, Councillor Helen Dunn, Councillor Danielle Fraser. Contributed

Now, two years later, Meghan’s Place is a reality thanks to private donations and a final $100,000 contribution from The Sobey Foundation that got the project across the finish line.

“She never would have comprehended this because she thought maybe there'll be some people sending some money instead of flowers,” says Courtney. “This is beautiful.”

Meghan, right, and her sister Courtney in the fall of 2022. “She was my best friend,” says Courtney. “And she was the one who inspired a lot of action.” Contributed / Courtney Bragg

LIFTING OTHERS

Growing up in the rural village of Collingwood, N.S., Meghan loved sports, playing outside, and going to the family cottage. “We just kind of created our own fun,” says Courtney. “There were lots and lots of laughs. Laughing until we couldn't speak, and doubled over crying.”

Meghan became a mom at 21, returning to her studies at Dalhousie University just six weeks after giving birth to daughter Arley. After graduation, she embarked on a career in health promotion, and in 2020, at age 35, she became a councillor and deputy mayor in Westville.

Meghan was diagnosed with cancer in June 2023 and, always a practical person, wasted no time during her final and difficult six weeks, says Courtney. She ensured Arley, now 18, would be taken care of, and she even took it upon herself to write her own obituary.

“I have worked hard to live a life that lifts others. Equity and accessibility have always been passions of mine,” Meghan wrote.

Those passions are still having an impact, says the mayor. “When we're at council and we're talking about things or making decisions, I often think about what would Meghan have to say about this? In that way, she’s still here.”

Meghan’s daughter Arley has been excited about Meghan’s Place, and it brings her a lot of comfort as well as joy.

Courtney Bragg, Meghan’s sister

Meghan’s Place opened unofficially in mid-June 2025. “The response to it has been out of this world,” says Lennie. “It's been packed with kids and families every day since we opened.

 “It's fantastic to see that it's going to be a tremendous legacy to who Meghan was and what she cared about.”

The Sobey Foundation, which has a new strategic focus on building partnerships in its home of Pictou Country, notified town council of the $100,000 donation at just the right time, says Lennie. “It made all the difference in being able to do the final things that were needed. It’s unbelievable.”

Always ready to tackle new challenges, Meghan would be looking to the future now that Meghan’s Place is open, says Courtney. “She'd be so touched by all the contributions, the donations, and also the volunteers. All of that would be incredible. But now that it’s built, she'd be like, ‘Yeah, that's great! But what’s our next move?’”