Elizabeth Frances MacDonald
Passed on: October 20th, 2008
94, Florence It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our mother, Libby (MacKinnon) MacDonald, age 94, on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. Born in North Sydney, she was the daughter of the late Ella Mae (Edwards) and John Laughlin MacKinnon. She grew up in Alder Point and was very proud to be one of 19 children. She received her Nova Scotia teacher’s licence in 1931 and taught school in Bras d’Or, where she was affectionately titled ‘the little professor.’ In 1937, her adventurous spirit led her to the LeMay Beauty Academy in Boston and the following year she opened her own hairdressing business. Married life began the same year and lasted more than 68 years. She was known by many for her warmth, grace and humour, but we knew Mom best for her wisdom, faith and love. She had a true gift of hospitality and loved nothing more than to entertain family and friends with one of her special meals followed by a lively game of cribbage. Her spirit of fun was always evident while watching a good game of baseball or hockey. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her family. She was a deeply spiritual person and a devoted member of St. Stephen’s parish, Florence, where she taught catechism and was a reader for many years. Her faith guided her life and prayer was her constant companion. She will be deeply missed by her sister, Stasia Tobin, Sydney; her brother, Archie (Nora) MacKinnon, Alder Point; her sister, Cecilia (Edmund) Gora, San Diego; and her 10 children, Edward (Jo), Pensacola, Fla., Robert (Maria), Cranbrook, B.C., Jeanne Fraser, Sackville, Judith Bowie (Peter), Shanghai, China, Jo-Anne, Sydney, Colin, Scotch Lake, Virginia Slifka (Bill), Old Orchard Beach, Me., Cameron (Nancy), Halifax, Celeste MacDougall (Tom), Dartmouth, Shaun (Kathleen), North Sydney’ as well as 29 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Robert, three sisters, Anne, Mary, Loretta; 12 brothers, Dan, Albert, Russell, Collie, Jim, Joe, Doug, Bart, Murray, Raphie, John, Gilbert, one grandson, Brian and one great-granddaughter, Frances. Visitation for Libby will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be held 11:30 a.m., Friday at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Florence, with Rev. Conrad Edwards officiating, followed by a reception at the Florence legion. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Stephen Church Food Bank. Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com.
