Mary Claire Nolan
NOLAN, Mary Claire, 83, of Halifax. Our mother, Mary Claire Nolan (nee MacDonald), passed away on November 4th at Oakwood Terrace. Mary was born in New Glasgow in 1934 and was the eighth of twelve children born to the late Alexander and Florence (Fraser) MacDonald. She graduated from New Glasgow High and then in 1954 graduated from the Halifax Infirmary School for Medical Record Librarians. Mom was employed between 1954 and 2003 for all but five years during that time span due to the birth of her four children. She worked as a Health/Medical Record Librarian, Data Manager for Clinical Trials, Researcher and an Instructor in the School of Medical Records. Mary was employed at the original Halifax Infirmary, Camp Hill Hospital, the IWK, Dalhousie University Departments of Surgery, Gynecology and Family Medicine, and at retirement with Capital Health. She constantly upgraded her learning and skill set and tackled new roles and new challenges throughout her career. Our mother was a bridge player and was a member of the same bridge club for well over fifty years. She was a devout Catholic and had a strong and unwavering faith. She was always generous and charitable to those in need. Mom was an avid hockey fan throughout her life. She got to meet her second favorite hockey player “Sid the Kid” in person. Our mother was always in style and she adhered to the philosophy of “always put your best foot forward” in all things including fashion. Mom loved music and loved to dance, sing, and laugh. Not one for public displays of laughter out loud, but when in the company of her siblings and her family, she would often laugh until tears flowed. Her greatest love was her family. This included her husband Walter, her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her parents, her son Michael, five of her siblings, and other extended family members and many friends. Mary is survived by daughters, Julie Lovely (Greg), Dr. Maureen Nolan (Gordon Sweet); and son, John Nolan (Cindy); grandsons, Adam Lovely (Natasha), Scott Lovely, Alexander Lovely (Anne); granddaughters, Jillian Nolan and Julie Nolan-McCarthy; sisters, Kathleen Campbell, Florence O’Brien (Brian), Jean Stewart (Allan), Dorothy Perry (Fred), and brothers, Buddy MacDonald (Betty) and John MacDonald (Paula Perrin); numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Thanks to the entire team at Oakwood Terrace for their care over the past two years. Special thanks to her grandson, Scott Lovely and to her niece, Sandra MacDonald. The care you showed our mother will never be forgotten. Visitation will be Thursday, November 9, 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor Street, Halifax, funeral service will be 10 am, Friday, November 10th at St. John the Baptist Parish, 26 Purcells Cove Road, Halifax. Reception to follow. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville. Charitable donations may be made to Alzheimer Society, ALS Society of NS, or Diabetes Canada. Condolences for the family may be left at: www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com