Rhodena MacNeil
Born In: Gardiner Mines
Passed in: New Waterford
Passed on: March 9th, 2015
It is with saddened hearts we announce the passing of Rodena MacNeil, 83, of Maple Hill Manor, New Waterford, on Monday, March 9 , 2015, at the Manor.
Born in Gardiner Mines, she was a daughter of the late Angus and Jane (Andrews) Mackie.
Rodena was a member of Mount Carmel Parish, currently the Parish Church of St. Leonard. In earlier years she was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital in Glace Bay and later with St. Martin's Convent in New Victoria. Rodena was a member of the CWL and the New Waterford Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
She gave freely of her time and campaigned for several organizations, namely the kidney, diabetes and Heart & Stroke foundations. Because of her efforts, she was named volunteer of the year for New Waterford. Rodena was also known to be an entrepeneur who sold several jewelry and cosmetic products for various companies. She enjoyed keeping her mind and body active by attending yoga classes, taking guitar lessons and making several trips to the library to check out her favourite books.
Rodena was also very passionate about sewing and knitting; she always kept her children warm with her knitted socks, sweaters and hats. Her true passion, however, was her family and each week she would look forward to visits from her siblings. She will be missed by all.
Surviving are daughter Glenda (Hector) MacKinnon, New Waterford; sons, John, Lingan, Deacon Lorne (Cheryl), New Victoria, Roger (Carol), New Waterford, Ross (Barb), North Sydney; brother Jimmie (Mary), Gardiner Mines; sisters, Lois Mackie (Alex), Lingan, Linda (Vince) Brunette, Gardiner Mines; grandchildren, Stephanie, Vanessa, Andrew, Adam, Erin, Ashley, Kelly, Darryl, Alicia, Marah, Rodney, Bradley, Michael, Michelle, Derek, Jake; great-grandchildren, Deakin, Drew, Liam, Nathan, Zachary and Carter; several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband John James, sons, Gary and Glen, sisters, Eileen, Judy and Sandra, brothers, Charlie, Leo, Irvin and Kenny, daughter-in-law Marie.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Thursday, March 12 at 2 p.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Fr. Leo Boone officiating and Fr. Ray Huntley and Deacon Lorne MacNeil concelebrating. A luncheon will follow at St. Leonard's Hall on Convent Street, New Waterford. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery at a later date.
Donations in her memory may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
