Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CAPE BRETON GENEALOGY & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE - <http://www.cbgen.org/ <http://www.cbgen.org/>>www.cbgen.org <http://www.cbgen.org/> NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Cape Breton Deaths April 14, 2016 Thursday There were 6 obituaries published today Margaret Dorothy (MacCormach) MacTavish - 85 yrs Joyce Evelyn Aylward, BSW, RSW - 53 yrs Diane Jean Stephens - 73 yrs Muriel Hildegard MacDonald - 96 yrs John Francis Rodgers - 96 yrs Gary Michael Gerard - 48 yrs Margaret Dorothy (MacCormach) MacTavish It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy of Etobicoke, Ont., on March 28, 2016, at Etobicoke General Hospital following a stroke at the age of 85. She was the daughter of Dorothy Gough and Murdoch MacCormach both of Sydney, N.S. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Carl. She will be sorely missed by her three brothers-in-law, William, Sydney, N.S., Sonny, Bedford, N.S., and Brian, Stouffville, Ont.; four neices and one nephew; and her MacCormach cousins. Cremation has taken place. A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Glendale Funeral Home 1810 Albion Rd., Toronto (Hwy 27 and Albion Road) at 2 p.m. in the chapel. In memory of Dorothy, please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Joyce Evelyn Aylward, BSW, RSW Born In: P.E.I. Born: June 9th, 1962 Passed on: April 12th, 2016 It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Joyce Aylward. Joyce passed peacefully at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 2016, surrounded by her loving husband John and children Suzi, Charlie, Jillian, and Jamie, her mother, Mabel and sister-in-law, Patty. Joyce’s family was and continues to be built on the foundations of love, laughter and togetherness. They had many adventures through camping and sailing to traveling the world. Her family will cherish these memories for a lifetime to come. Born in, P.E.I. June 9, 1962, Joyce cherished her Island family and upbringing. She loved the red sands and beauty of the island, and proudly wore many Cows t-shirts. She shared her love of the island with John, their children and grandchildren by spending many summers at the cabin in China Point as the kids grew up. Joyce went on to attend Dalhousie University, graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work from the Maritime School of Social Work. Joyce was a social worker by nature, and thoroughly enjoyed her career starting in P.E.I., then Halifax and on to Cape Breton. Her work and her team mates brought her great joy. Joyce was a proud woman of sound principals. She never looked for a fight but rarely backed down from a battle that would see someone being mistreated. It is how she lived her life and how she confronted her illness. She and John instilled these values in their children and grandchildren. As a couple they were very active in supporting community activities, valuing giving back to a place that has given them both so much. Joyce enjoyed the simpler things in life, such as time with her family and sailing with John, members of the Asaph family, and friends on the Bras D’or Lake. She enjoyed martial arts, traveling to places such as the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, but she loved shopping! Her love for music transcended through the years, and she was especially content reading a good book while John practiced another piece of music. She is survived by husband, John; children, Suzie, Charlie, Jillian and Jamie; mother, Mabel England; brothers, Robert, Stephen (Patty), Wayne (Kathy) and David; grandchildren, Cara and Carter; aunts, Joyce, Polly, Joanne; mother-in-law, Theresa; sister-in-law, Deb (Jim) Merit and her finest friend, Lynn Knott. She was predeceased by her father, Lester Davies; her grandparents, John and Adah England and her aunt, Barbra Flynn. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held 3 p.m. Friday, April, 15, 2016 at the SW Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Reception to follow at the South End Community Cenrtre, 28 Hillview St., Sydney. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of.... Diane Jean Stephens Passed in: Sydney Passed on: April 12th, 2016 Our beautiful mother, Diane Jean Stephens, age 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Harbourstone Guest Home on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Mom will forever be remembered by her four children, Todd Abbass (Carolyn), Gina Murphy (Pat), Richard Abbass (Lisa) and Lynn Abbass (Alex). She will also be remembered as "Nanny Di" to her 11 grandchildren: Jesse, Ben, Sam, Jordan, Ritchie, Jake, Ben, Brandon, Thomas, Katherine and Diana Lynn. Mom is also survived by her ex-husband and father of her children, Melvin Abbass. Mom was predeceased by her parents, W.J. 'Bill' and Dorothy Stephens and siblings, Jack, Elaine and Faye. As a teenager and young adult, Mom sang on local TV shows, Cape Breton Barn Dance and Talent Caravan. She was a beautiful singer. Her singing was heard regularly throughout the house growing up. It will always be a cherished memory. After graduating from Sydney Academy, Mom went on to Cape Breton Business College where she completed the secretarial program. However, after having children, Mom decided to be a stay at home mom. Mom's love for children ran deep. They were drawn to her smile, sense of humour, and caring ways. We will forever be grateful to all the staff at Harbourstone, Kimberly Hall, Irish Cove Unit, where Mom lived the last five years of her life. The caring and compassionate staff became like a second family to her, taking care of all of her needs. Cremation has taken place by Chant's Funeral Home. A private memorial will be held for family as this was Mom's final request. Donations may be made to the Parkinson's Society or the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, children's palliative care unit. Muriel Hildegard MacDonald Born In: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Born: July 6th, 1919 Passed in: North Sydney Passed on: April 12th, 2016 Relatives and friends of Muriel Hildegard MacDonald regret to announce her passing on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at the Northside Community Guest Home, at the age of 96. Born in Halifax on July 6, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Mary (O'Handley) Dickson. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, and a member of the former Immaculate Conception parish. Muriel grew up in Sydney Mines. Following high school and business training at Mount Saint Joseph Commercial Department, North Sydney, she worked as a secretary for several companies before accepting a position at the local branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia. She married the late Joseph MacDonald of Sydney Mines, who was a well-known horse trainer and driver in the harness racing circuit in Cape Breton, mainland Nova Scotia, and later in the United States. In 1957, Muriel moved, with Joe and their young son Gerard, to Alabama, and later Tennessee, where Joe continued his love of training and racing. Her son Gerard followed in his father’s footsteps, and grew to love the sport as well. Muriel was always there to support them both, and enjoyed travelling with them to the raceways in New York and other parts of the United States. Following the death of her husband, and later her son, she moved back to Cape Breton to live in the family home on Fraser Avenue. Mourning her loss are her nephews, David and Daryl Dickson; sister-in-law, Theresa Dickson; niece, Kathy Newman; grand-niece, Jessica Newman, numerous cousins in the O’Handley and Dickson families, and her many friends, here and in the United States. A special friend, Agnes Smith, of Virginia, with whom she enjoyed many travels, has always kept in touch with her. Muriel was much loved by all who knew her. Besides her parents, Muriel was predeceased by her husband Joseph; son, Gerard; brother, John (Buddy) Dickson and sister, Jean Diebert. Her family appreciated the wonderful care she received at the Northside Guest Home. Visitation for Muriel MacDonald will be held in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines, on Friday, April 15, 2016, at 1 p.m. A celebration of her life will take place at 2 p.m., with Deacon Greg Murphy officiating. Burial beside her husband and son will be held at a later date. Donations in Muriel’s memory may be made to a charity of choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com. John Francis Rodgers Born In: Sydney Born: November 26th, 1919 Passed in: Sydney Mines Passed on: April 12th, 2016 We, the family of John Francis Rodgers, regret to announce his passing on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at Harbourview Hospital, Sydney Mines. Born in Sydney on Nov. 26, 1919, he was the son of the late Frank and Maggie (MacPhail) Rodgers. From 1943-1945, John was stationed in Aldershot, N.S. He retired from the NSLC and was a member of the former Trinity United Church, Whitney Pier. John loved spending his summers at Gillis Lake with his family and friends. He especially loved baseball and wore his Blue Jay's hat with pride. John is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Steve) Gavel, Coxheath; sons, Murdock (Wendy), Sussex, N.B. and James (Tiina), Toronto, Ont.; sisters, Rita Burt and Mar Fraser, Whitney Pier; brother, James (Marjorie), Whitney Pier; grandchildren, Kayla (Trevor), Ainslie (Jason), Joshua, Becky, Emily and Christopher; great-grandsons, Dean and Liam. He was predeceased by his wife, Thelma (Mercer); daughter, Judy Logan; sister, Minnie; brother, Murdock. There will be no visitation. Funeral service will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday 2 p.m., with Mr. Gary Grant officiating. Interment in Hardwood Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Veteran’s wing at Harbourview Hospital, Sydney Mines or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or email sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. Gary Michael Gerard Born In: Sydney Passed in: Waverley Passed on: April 12th, 2016 Gary Michael Gerard, 48, of Waverley, formerly of Sydney, passed away at home on April 12, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by family, friends and his fur babies. Gary is survived by his best friend, his wife, Marcella (Locke) of 22 years, predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Blanche (Hardy) Gerard, brother George and his mother-in-law, Mary Locke. Gary is also survived by his sister Marilyn Hayes, Sydney; brother Bobby (Angela), Lower Sackville; Pauline Holmes (Donnie) South Boularderie; father-in-law Doug Locke, Bateston; sisters-in-law Madonna Locke, Sydney; Glenda (Hughie) MacLeod, Westmount, Juanita (Phil) MacKenzie and brothers-in-law James (Catherine) Locke of Beaverbank, Terry (Kathleen) Locke, Ontario; and many nieces and nephews that he held close to his heart and adored. Gary will best be remembered for his sense of humour, practical jokes, his kindness and love of animals. Gary's many pleasures included his Kawasaki and KTM, taekwondo, but his happiest times were spending time with his family and friends and spending time being Duey to his special niece, Jordyn. We would like to thank the his niece Tanya Fuller, Dr. Colwell and Jill, the 8th floor nursing staff at the VG, palliative care and VON but especially Dr. Giacomantonio for being his quarterback. A memorial service will be held on April 23, 2016 at the Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre, 1583 Beaverbank Road, Beaverbank beginning at 2 p.m. At Gary's request, this event will be as he lived, relaxed and casual. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to an animal charity of one’s choice.