Joan Diane MacKay
Date de naissance : 27 juillet 1946
Date de décès : 5 mars 2017
Diane lived her life surrounded by the people she loved and her final days and moments were filled with the same. A testament to the impact she had on everyone she touched, family and friends from near and far gathered at the VG Hospital and in homes from Cape Breton to Newfoundland and beyond to give her their support and love in her final days. After a spirited fight, our dear mother, daughter, sister and friend passed on March 5, 2017. Born in Glace Bay on July 27, 1946 to Claude and Lillian O’Hara, Diane was a true Cape Bretoner, living in Louisbourg and, most recently, in Albert Bridge for her entire life. She loved the people of this place and the beauty of the Mira River. There was nothing that filled Diane’s heart more than a full house and an overflowing table, most especially at Christmas, a holiday she celebrated better than anyone we know. She was an endless source of cookies and sweets (all of which she performed quality control on), quilts and knitted treats, and an optimism and love of life that brought her, and everyone around her, utter joy. She taught all of us what family and friendship is all about and each of our lives was made better by having her in it. Diane is survived by daughters, Lori (Paul) MacKay Carroll and Amy MacKay (Les Herrington); granddaughter, Julia; grandsons, Dawson, Matthew and Ajai; father, Claude O’Hara and stepmother, Ruth; brothers, Claude (Judith) O’Hara and Shawn (Elaine) O’Hara; sisters, Wendy (Doug) MacPhee and Mary Lynn (Cecil) Crant; stepsister, Rebeckah (Ian) Hassam; stepbrother, Tony (Allison) O’Hara; in-laws, Harold (Michele) MacKay, Jean Wadden, Beth (Brian) Kehoe, Grant (Jacqueline) MacKay and sister-in-law, Ann MacKay, as well as many nieces, nephews and her loyal dog, Shelby who will miss her terribly. She was predeceased by her husband, Allan MacKay; infant daughter, Allena Michelle MacKay; mother, Lillian Mae (White) O’Hara; brother-in-law, Roddie Wadden and in-laws, Duncan and Haroldine MacKay.
We take comfort in knowing that she is reunited with Dad, Michelle and her mother Lillian, all of whom she adored with her whole heart.
The family would like to thank the team of doctors who did nothing short of perform miracles over the past decade. To Dr. Greg Myatt, Dr. Mark Walsh, the transplant team at the VG Hospital and the many nurses that cared for her: our deepest gratitude for all that you did. We owe the last ten years we had with her to you. Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 9. Both will be held at the First United Church of Louisbourg. A family burial will be held at a later date. Family flowers only, please. Donations in Diane’s memory may be made to the First United Church of Louisbourg. Finally, as the recipient of transplant organs that considerably extended her life, a wonderful tribute to Diane would be for friends and loved ones to sign their donor card. Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.ca.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of...
