Laura “Lolly” Mackay McLean, New Glasgow:
McLean, Laura “Lolly” Mackay was born in New Glasgow March 22, 1929 to Leonard and Ada (MacLeod) Williamson, a proud “Southender”. A woman of style, strength and grace slipped from her time on earth on April 9, 2011 in the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital. She graduated from New Glasgow High School in 1946, whose 50th reunion in 1996 was one of the great joys in Mom’s life. Mom went to Woodfield in the fall of 1946 to teach school, and met our father Gerald McLean, thus setting the course for the remainder of her life. After a year in St. Catherine’s and the birth of their first child, Mom and Dad returned to Pictou County spending the next 35 years in Moose River raising a family. In 1973, Mom began her business career in Westville opening the Hitching Post, which moved the following year to downtown New Glasgow. In 1985, the store moved to Provost Street, was renamed “Lollys” and achieved a reputation locally and abroad for its welcoming atmosphere, variety and vibrancy. She was a longtime member of the Womens Institute of Nova Scotia, Blue Mountain Chapter and a member of the original board of the Pictou County YMCA
Politically she was a strong Progressive Conservative during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, in recent years the Green Party of Canada. She was a proud recipient of the Women of Honour of the Pictou County Women’s Centre in 2007. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, New Glasgow for over 60 years. One of her greatest joys was spending hours of beauty at her summer home on the “Point” at Sinclair’s Island, surveying the wharf, the beach, and the coming and goings of the family she loved with all her heart.
Lolly is survived by her husband Gerald, New Glasgow; daughter Robin (Bradley) Jardine, Sinclair’s Island; sons Gerry (Joyce), Castro Valley, California; Shaun, New Glasgow; Lorne (Pam Cross), Hillside; daughter-in-law Ardath (Cecil) Rankin, Pictou; grandchildren Bradley McLean, Maureen McLean, Laura McLean, and Brenda –Dale McLean; special niece and friend Adann Kourtz, Kanata, Ontario; cousin Lloyd Sutherland, Truro; and best friend of 75 years Myrtle (Yerxa) Fraser.
She was predeceased by her sister Margaret MacKay, son Jamie McLean, daughter-in-law Anita McLean and son-in law Dale Schnettler.
Visitation will be held in the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow from 7-9 pm Monday and 2-4 and 7-9 pm Tuesday. Funeral service will be held at 11 am Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church, New Glasgow with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. Internment in the Moose River Cemetery.
Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society or the Moose River Cemetery Fund.
www.angusfuneralhomes.com