Helen (Gillis) MacNeil
Born In: Grand Mira, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: June 7th, 2012
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our Helen “Howie/Hellie” J. MacNeil on Thursday, June 7, 2012, after a brief illness in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born in Grand Mira, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (Gillis) Gillis.
Helen worked for 22 years at St. Rita Hospital before retiring and made many lifelong friends there. In her retirement years she took the job of caring for a family and became very dear friends of young Ann and Marissa. Living with her nephew, Robert, Helen became even closer to the Black family.
Her home was always filled will many dear nephews and nieces and their children who loved to visit her often. Hellie always had a cup of tea with fresh homemade bread and tea biscuits waiting for her many visitors and especially loved her weekly chats with Tara.
Helen was a lady with strong faith who was active in her church as well as enjoyed helping the men at Talbot House and visiting with Helen O’Grace on the farm. Every Sunday was bread making day and Hellie always delivered a loaf to longtime friend Dr. Kevin Orrell and his family.
She is survived by her only son, Kenneth Francis and his wife, Michele (Furlotte), Sydney; two grandchildren, Zachariah and Lauren, who were the loves of her life; siblings, Stella Fraser, New York and Collin (Frances), Sydney.
Helen was predeceased by her husband, Roderick Francis; sisters, Margaret, Bertie, Sarah; brothers, Lauchie, Duncan and John Allan.
She will be missed by so many. The family would like to thank Dr. Myatt and the staff of Cape Breton Regional Hospital for their excellent care and compassion. A very special thank you goes out to her niece and private nurse Janice Black who stayed by her side every step of the way of her illness.
At Hellie’s request there will be no visitation. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at St. Anthony Daniel Church on Saturday, June 9 at 11 a.m. with her good friends, Fathers Bernie MacDonald and Norman MacPhee officiating.
Online condolences to www.twcurry.com.
