Rosemary 'Grace' (McGrath) Arseneau
Lieu de naissance : Quebec City
Lieu de décès : Sydney
Date de décès : 30 mai 2013
Grace Arseneau, 82, of Sydney, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, May 30, 2013, following a brief stay in An Cala Unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital. She was a loving wife, sister, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Born in Quebec City, she was the daughter of the late William Thomas McGrath and Helena Margaret Sweeney.
Grace was dedicated to a life filled with family and community. The seventh of 10 children, she particularly enjoyed singing with sisters, Elsie and Florence as The McGrath Sisters. Following graduation from St. Mary's Hospital, Montreal, in 1953 she nursed in Quebec City. In 1955 she moved to Sydney with her husband, Dr. Donald Arseneau, where he took up his career as professor of Chemistry with Xavier College. Grace committed herself to parish and community activities. She was a founding member of the St. Anthony Daniel chapter of the Catholic Women's League in 1960 and served two terms as president; some of her fondest memories included the work she did with the girls group during those years. Grace served as president of Cape Breton Right to Life, was a member of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design and enjoyed her time quilting with friends. Grace was an active member of the St. Anthony Daniel folk choir and the Friends of MacGillivray Guest Home. Most of all, she loved having her home full of family, music and laughter and enjoyed immensely her summers at the A-frame in Northside East Bay.
Grace is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Dr. Donald F. Arseneau, whose love and care through her final years have been an inspiration; her sister, Mary Elizabeth ‘Lucy’, Sisters of Providence, Kingston, Ont.; and her 10 children, Anthony ‘Tony’ (Linda) Rockland, Ont., John (Jody Aylard) Sidney, B.C., Dr. Donald J., Vancouver, B.C., Dr. Thérèse (Dr. Donald Elder), Christchurch, N.Z., André (Donna), Sydney, N.S., Dr. Mary (Darcy Terrell), Ottawa, Ont., Catherine (Mitchell McNutt), Sydney, N.S., Peter, Ottawa, Ont., Marc (Maureen), Sarnia, Ont., Patricia (Francis Syms), Toronto, Ont.. Grace will be deeply missed by her 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Grace was predeceased by siblings, Alice, James, Frances (Paquin), William, Denis, Florence (Drapeau), Elsie (Leclair) and Elizabeth ‘Betty’ (Egan).
Visitation will take place at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Saturday, June 1 from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday, June 2 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St Anthony Daniel Church, Sydney, Monday, June 3 at 11 a.m.
Donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences to www.twcurry.com.
