On Wednesday, 29 November 2017, Catherine Blair MacLeod (nee Nelson) passed away peacefully at her Miramichi Lodge home, Pembroke, Ontario, after a long and productive life, in her 103rd year.
Kay was born and raised on the family farm in Mill Brook, Pictou County, the eldest child of John R. and Grace (Currie) Nelson. She lived in New Glasgow for over 60 years, and moved to Ontario in 2001. Her life was dedicated to her nursing profession, her church, and her community.
In 1933 Kay graduated from Pictou Academy and then went on to graduate from the Aberdeen Hospital School of Nursing in 1937. She did Private Duty and General Duty nursing for many years. She was a Past President and Life Member of the Aberdeen Hospital Alumnae and an active member of the retired nurses group until her move to Ontario. Until her passing she kept in contact with her remaining living classmates and often proudly reminisced with friends and family about her profession and her years as a Registered Nurse.
Kay was an adherent of Trinity United Church, New Glasgow, and a longtime member of Unit B of the U.C.W. For many years she taught Sunday School and Mission Band.
She volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Donor Clinics and often canvassed to help raise funds for various charitable organizations in the community.
Kay’s passion for playing bridge brought her much pleasure. She continued this activity during the years she lived in Ontario and even had a “perfect” bridge hand at age 86.
She is survived by daughters, Mary Elizabeth and husband David Pick, Invermere, British Columbia and Sandra and husband C. Robert Tramer, Pembroke, Ontario; granddaughters, Lynn Pick (Bruce Waldbauer), Calgary, Alberta, and Laura Pick, Terrace, British Columbia; sister, Margaret Forbes, Little Harbour, N.S.; sisters-in-law A. Cathy Nelson, Westville and nieces & nephews.
Kay was predeceased by her husband, Charles F. MacLeod, her parents, and her siblings, Currie, Robert, and Alberta Nelson.
Arrangements are entrusted to Malcolm, Deavitt & Binhammer Funeral Home, Pembroke. A graveside service is to be held in the spring, 2018. Interment will take place in the family plot at Auburn Cemetery, Westville, Nova Scotia.
As Kay requested, memorial donations may be made to Parkinson Society of Canada - Maritime Region, 5991 Spring Garden Road, S290, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1Y6.
Online condolences and donations are available at www.mdbfuneralhome.com.