Mary Alexandra 'Meme' MacQuarrie
Passed in: Glace Bay
Passed on: January 19th, 2016
We, the family of Mary 'Meme' Alexandra MacQuarrie are saddened to announce her passing on Jan. 19, 2016 at the age of 95. She passed away at Victoria Haven, Glace Bay, her home for the past two years.
Mary was the daughter of Dan W MacDonald and Margaret (Fiander) MacDonald. She was a member of Knox United Church.
Mary was the wife of the late Lincoln MacQuarrie, who passed away in 1970. A woman of many talents, Mary was foremost a mother, who not only loved her children but strived to inspire them. Her home was always filled with young people, who loved being together with mom at 'our house'. Many thought of her as a second mother and she had a very special way of communicating with them.
The Rev. Eric Lynk once commented “Mary’s home was a place to be”. Good times and lots of humour gave us and our friends many fond memories.
Mom worked very hard to provide us with handmade clothes. She taught night school, was a nurse’s aide at the old General Hospital, and ran a small dairy on Brookside Street. Previous to this mom ran Kenwood Dance Hall in Mira Gut with her son Jimmy for several summers. It was here that many came to dance to the music of Gib Whitney, she loved those years. Mom accomplished all of this while bringing up her five children, who were her pride and joy, we know we were.
In later years, mom moved in with her daughter Isabel (Gary) and their children. In the summer it was 'Out on the Mira', with daughter Kathy (Stuart) and their children.
Mom, or 'Meme' to her grandchildren, loved to travel and one of her most memorable vacations was to England and Scotland with her daughter Ann(Earl) and granddaughter Arlie Beth. Her 90th Birthday was celebrated in Disney World with family.
Mary will be lovingly remembered by her children Jim (Joan) MacQuarrie, Ann (Earl) Morgan, Isabel (Gary) MacDonald, Calum (Andrea) MacQuarrie and Kathy (Stuart) MacAulay. 'Meme’s' grandchildren include Keith, Jan, Kyle, Arlie Beth, Gavin, Ross, Neal, Ian, Caelin and Alex. She is also survived by her sister Anna Lamb and her 10 great-grandchildren, as well as her special 'son' Robert (Gail) Sheppard.
Mary was predeceased by her sisters Katherine, Annice, Dorothy and Willa, and her precious granddaughter Kelly Anne MacQuarrie.
Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Patten Funeral Home. There will be no visitation or funeral. Services for Mary will take place in the summer when all family members will be able to attend.
Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to the recreational department of Victoria Haven Nursing home, c/o Jo Ann White or to a charity of one’s choice.
We wish to thank all the staff of Victoria Haven for their love and kindness and the excellent care given to our mother. A better place for our mom could never be imagined.
“ A Farewell”
My Fairest child, I have no song to give you;
No lark could pipe in skies so dull and gray;
Yet, if you will, one quite hint I’ll leave you,
For every day.
I’ll tell you how to sing a clearer carol
Than lark who hails the dawn or breezy down
To earn yourself a purer poet’s laurel
Than Shakespeare’s crown.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who can be clever;
Do lovely things, not dream them, all day long;
And so make Life, and Death, and that for Ever,
One grand sweet song.
— Author Charles Kingsley.
Online condolences may be sent to family www.pattenfuneral.com.
