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Mary Anne (MacMillan) Doyle

Mary Anne (MacMillan) Doyle

Born In: North Sydney

Passed in: North Sydney
Passed on: August 19th, 2014

Mary Anne (MacMillan) Doyle, 73, died peacefully on Tuesday, Aug.19, 2014 at the Northside Community Guest Home, after living with the degenerative effects of Alzheimers since 2005.
Born in North Sydney, Mary Anne was the daughter of the late Norman and Frances (Young) MacMillan. After attending St. Joseph’s School in North Sydney, she studied nursing at St. Elizabeth Hospital and became an RN. Mary Anne was a vibrant and engaged person who loved the simple pleasures of life; family, music, and building community. With her husband Leo, her life was enriched by children and the experiences gained by taking, often, the road less traveled. She raised five sons, who were a source of pride, Joe, Walter, Leo Blaise, Patrick and David. Mary Anne loved to sing and encouraged youth to develop their talents and appreciate the arts. She played leadership roles in many fields including health care, sport, the church and civic life. Both she and Leo were inducted as builders into the Cape Breton Sport Hall of Fame. Mary Anne was a model of love and generosity. She was a “doer” who took pleasure in helping other people. Even after her Alzheimer diagnosis, she volunteered at the guest home where she had once nursed. It was the place where her youth choral group, Strawberry Fair, had entertained residents and imparted upon children lessons about charity and giving. Her family mourns her passing, but celebrates all that she has left behind.
She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Leo Albert; her five sons, Joe (Linda-Ray), Leduc, Alta., Walter Ichikawa-Doyle (Norie), Nagano, Japan, Leo Blaise (Mede), Ottawa, Patrick (Leeanne), Sydney River, David (Capri), Vancouver; her grandchildren, Heather, Andrew, Julia, Mara, Taylor, Frances, Ryan, Matthew, Callie, Chase, Drina and Cole. She is also survived by her siblings: sisters, Kay (Mac) Batherson, Marg (Dave) Ratchford and brothers, John C. (Karen), Normie (Linda), Malcolm (Linda), all from the Northside; sisters-in-law, Diane MacMillan, North Sydney, Mary Beth MacMillan, Moncton, Betty MacLean, Sydney Mines, Anne Isaac, Edmonton, her brothers-in-law, Edward (Nora) Doyle, James (Maureen) Doyle and brother-in-law, Sam Lamey, all of Sydney Mines, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
Besides her parents, Mary Anne was predeceased by her brothers, Charlie, Dennis and infant brothers, Anthony Daniel and Pius Joseph.
In keeping with her wishes, Mary Anne’s body has been donated to the Dalhousie Medical School. A visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26 in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall.
Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton, Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or Gaelic College Scholarships & Bursaries.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.


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