Mary Francis MacDonald
Born In: MacAdams Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: July 9th, 1924
Passed in: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
On July 9, 1924, McAdams Lake, Cape Breton, was blessed with the arrival of Mary Frances MacDonald (nee MacNeil). Mary was the fourth of five children born to Thomas and Mary (nee Fortune) MacNeil.
Perhaps it was the tending to the bumps and bruises of this lively brood of children that led Mary to enrol at Hamilton Memorial School of Nursing. While her profession was certainly demanding, she had the joy of starting a family of her own with her husband John Pat MacDonald in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton. Despite the long hours that went into her trade and the upbringing of her two cherished children, Elizabeth and David, Mary also found time to be a particularly talented and avid piano player as well as an active member of the CWL auxiliary and member of the R.N. Association.
Mary will be remembered fondly by all those she touched; for her sense of humour, quick wit, willingness to help in any situation, and of course her beautiful smile. While we grieve for our sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and most importantly treasured friend, we find peace in her gentle passing and trust that she is smiling down on us from heaven.
Mary is survived by her children, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ (Ron) Arsenault and David MacDonald; her brother, Daniel MacNeil and sister, Marguerite (nee MacNeil) Watts; as well as five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mary has been predeceased by her parents, her brothers, William MacNeil, John T. MacNeil and Stanley MacNeil as well as her beloved husband, John Pat MacDonald.
Mary’s family would like to thank Dr. Hickey, the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital as well as Dr. MacKinnon and Dr. Saxon and the staff of Soldiers Memorial Hospital for all of their care and kindness. In addition, we would like to give a special thanks to Adrian Morrison, Mary Francis and Dougie Oliver, for many years of support and “driving Ms. Daisy”.
A funeral service will be held at Immaculate Conception Church where Mary was a parishioner on Friday, June 29. There will be no visitation by family request; however, donations in her name may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, or a hospital foundation of your choice in lieu of flowers.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Francis Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to d.francis@ns.sympatico.ca.
