Shirley MacNeil
Passed on: November 29th, 2008
Glace Bay We are sad to announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Anne Shirley MacNeil. Shirley passed away Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at St. Vincent's Guest Home in Halifax, with her oldest son, Connie by her side. Born in Bridgeport, Glace Bay, she was the only daughter of the late Eddie and Mary Ann Coleman. Shirley was a devoted Roman Catholic and a lifelong member of Holy Cross parish in Glace Bay. She was a long standing volunteer at Holy Cross Church, where she would help with altar duties and assist with maintaining the church's interior. She loved animals especially the homeless, and took in many homeless kittens offering them a warm and comfortable home. In her earlier years she worked at the old Eaton's store in Glace Bay. Shirley was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband, Connie MacNeil Sr. She is survived by five children, Connie MacNeil (Cathy), Halifax, Ron MacNeil (Shauna), Alberta, Elaine Oates (Leonard), Alberta, Valerie Simms (Carl), Alberta and Glynis Devison (David), Ontario; 13 grandchildren, Lynore, Genevieve and Conrad MacNeil, all of Halifax, Bradley and Kaetlyn Oates of Edmonton and Christopher Oates of Toronto, Michelle, Shannon and Evelyn MacNeil, Edmonton, Stephanie and Keith Simms, Alberta and Breton and Andrew Devison, Ontario. Shirley is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Veronica MacFadgen, Halifax and one great-grandson, Avery Conrad, also resides in Halifax. She was also predeceased by two infant daughters, Martha and Mary and her brother Tom 'Sonny' Coleman. Visitation will be held today (Monday) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Curry's Funeral Home, 775 Main St., Glace Bay. Vigil prayers will be at 7:15 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church on December 2, 2008 at 10 a.m. with Fr. Conrad Edwards officiating. Interment will be at St. Anne's Cemetery, Glace Bay. A special thank you is extended to the transitional care unit at Dartmouth General Hospital and all the second floor staff at St. Vincent Nursing Home for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Mass for Shut-ins or any local SPCA. Condolences to the family can be sent to jmcurry@ns.sympatico.ca.
