Exilda MacKenzie
Born: September 28th, 1925
Passed on: November 13th, 2014
We the children of the late Bob and Exilda (Coulet) MacKenzie announce that Mom, affectionately known as 'Dodie' is finally at rest after a long, painful battle with dementia.
Mom and Dad married in Westville, N.S. after the Second World War and moved to North Sydney for work with the CN, enabling us to be born and raised as Cape Bretoners, for which we are truly grateful. Mom, widowed at a young age, taught us by example what is most important in life — family. Gentleness, unconditional love, acceptance, endless ability to forgive and forget, never a bad word about anybody — all so much part of this lovely lady. Mom laughed often, happily sitting on the side lines letting other people take centre stage, while she smiled in her own sweet way.
Mom would tell you that she was happiest when raising her children and later watching her grandchildren. As we all aged, Mom became more active in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 19 Ladies Auxiliary, learned to throw a mean dart, and joined the Senior Day Program. She was a devout Catholic, attending mass regularly at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church until her health failed.
Mom enjoyed life’s simple pleasures — walking, rocking in her garden swing in the shade, picking blueberries, knitting, sewing, watching movies, and dancing which she did whenever she had the chance. Mom said that if she had to choose between a final meal or a dance, she’d pick the dance.
Along with Dad, Mom was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Corrine, brothers Joe, Paul, John, and sisters, Elizabeth, Mary.
Mom is survived by her sons, Steve (Elsie), Rob; daughters, Paula (Paul) Druhan, Sylvia (Greg) Dearing, Agnes (Austin) Hull; her 13 grandchildren, Anthony, Dawn, Tim, Jeff, Brent, Shamus, Elliott, Nicole, Mathew, Jeff, Cory, Sheri, Mike and 17 great-grandchildren; her sister Clara (Kie) Teed; sisters-in-law, Sadie Coulet, Murdena MacGillivary and Marie Belland; numerous nieces and nephews (special mention - Alex and Evelyn).
As Mom’s health deteriorated more people came into her life and ours. First off, we want to thank Dr. Langley and later, Dr. Ferguson, for the excellent and caring medical treatment provided to Mom and for the support given to us during the most difficult times. As for the staff at the Northside Community Guest Home, we don’t know how Mom or we, could have made this journey without your loving care. This includes staff from every department — caregivers, nursing, dietary, housekeeping, recreation — you name it. We noticed when you took the time over the years, to touch Mom’s hand or say a kind word when she was crying or agitated and thank you for doing so. During Mom’s final days, it seemed like our family grew and our grief was shared.
We feel that Mom’s spirt is finally at peace and we hope that by now Dad learned to jive.
Mom, you were so loved in your lifetime and will be for the rest of ours.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church, with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Donations in memory of Mom, can be made to the Northside Community Guest Home.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
