Jeanette "Celeste" MacDougall
Born: November 8th, 1955
Passed on: September 3rd, 2016
Jeanette “Celeste” MacDougall, 60, Dartmouth, NS. It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Jeanette “Celeste” MacDougall on September 3rd, 2016. After a nine year battle with cancer, fought with grace and bravery, she passed away at home surrounded by her adoring children. Celeste was born in North Sydney, Cape Breton, on November 8th, 1955 and grew up in nearby Florence. Born with a natural sense of determination, Celeste could learn anything. She excelled in academics and through her creativity in textiles, brought beauty to the world with her needle and thread. At age 17, her brother Cameron introduced her to a young man named Tom MacDougall from the neighbouring town of Sydney Mines. By the time she completed her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics at St. Francis Xavier University, the two were married. The couple moved to Dartmouth, where Celeste devoted herself to raising her four children before continuing her career as a Mathematics and Home Economics teacher. Celeste embodied kindness, selflessness and generosity. Throughout her life, she inspired those around her with her compassion and strength. Despite her affliction with cancer, she maintained her elegance, poise, decency and humour. Her true and genuine spirit will always be felt and remembered by those who loved her. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Tom (2011) and her cherished parents Robert and Elizabeth MacDonald. She is survived by her siblings, Eddie MacDonald (Jo), Rob MacDonald (Maria), Jeanne Fraser, Judith Bowie (Peter), Jo-Anne MacDonald, Colin MacDonald (Ruth), Ginger Slifka (Bill), Cameron MacDonald (Nancy), Shaun MacDonald (Kathleen), and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves in mourning her four loving children, Meghan, Graeme, Dan and Laura. Special thanks to Dr. Alwin Jeyakumar, nurse Darlene Arsenault, and the staff and volunteers on the 11th floor at the QEII, VG site. Thank you also to Dr. Janice Goodwin, VON nurse Phillip Batt, and the many other nurses she met along the way. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Burial will take place at a later time. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dartmouth Funeral Home (29 Queen St., Dartmouth). A funeral mass to celebrate Celeste’s life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday September 9th, 2016 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (15 Caledonia Rd., Dartmouth) with Fr. Toochukwu Okafor officiating, followed by a reception in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca.
