MacMILLAN, Doris Thelma (MacKeil)
Pictou
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Doris MacMillan on September 6, 2016. Doris was born in Bay View, a daughter of the late John & Christine MacKeil. Doris began a teaching career of 35 years on Pictou Island. Following her time on Pictou Island, she moved to the Scotch Hill School where she met her husband, Harold. After several years working on the MacMillan farm, she moved to Truro to attend the Normal College. Upon receiving her license, she taught in several country schools, later moving to Pictou Schools. She finished her career as a guidance counsellor at West Pictou Consolidated School. During her teaching career, she became affiliated with the National Teachers Association travelling to Thailand, Zambia & British Guyana where she taught teachers to teach English as a second language. Her life as a teacher touched many lives both here and abroad. Doris was an active member of Pictou United Church and, upon retirement, was a member of the Pictou Heritage Center. During her time there, she and four friends researched, compiled and published “Slates to Computers”, a book about the one-room schools that closed when West Pictou Consolidated opened.
Doris leaves behind to remember her love and positive attitude, her daughter, Diane (Donnie Vaughan) and their children, Debbie, Donna, Janet & Karen; her son, Thom (Diane) and their children, Jason, Kevin & Lorna; 12 great-grandchildren & 4 great great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sisters, Jean Heighton and Jessie Fitch; and sister-in-law, Gail MacKeil; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Doris was predeceased by her husband, Harold; brothers, Blaine & John MacKeil; and sisters, Anna MacKay and Margaret MacMaster. Visitation will take place 2-4 & 7-9 PM Thursday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. A service of celebration will be held 11 AM Friday from Pictou United Church, with reception to follow in the church hall. Burial will be in Scotch Hill Cemetery. Memorial gifts in her memory may be made to Pictou United Church.