Cape Breton Deaths January 29, 2009 Leona Jamael Portage - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our mom, Leona Jamael, 74, of Portage, N.S. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Port Elgin, N.B., she was the daughter of the late William Cecil and Doris (Babineau) Legere of Moncton, N.B. She was a certified nursing assistant and practiced her nursing skills in many provinces throughout Canada until her retirement in 1989. She was the loving wife of the late Elias Sonny Jamael and a gentle mother to her children, Frances (Mitchell Ettinger), Digby, N.S., Susan (David Shipp), Calgary, Alta., Mary Ann, Riverview, N.B., Matthew (Jackie), Cold Lake, Alta., and Carolyn, Portage, N.S. She is survived by brothers, Roy (Suzanne) Legere, Que., Joey (Jeanne) Legere, N.B., and Paul-Emile (Nancy) Legere, N.B. Nanny leaves behind nine loving grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and two very special canine companions, Holly Berry and Kayla. She was predeceased by her grandson-in-law, Cpl. Dustin Wasden. Cremation has taken place and a memorial mass will be held at St. Mary's Church, East Bay on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at 10 a.m., Fr. Frank Abbass and Fr. Albert Maroun co-officiating. Immediately following the service a tea will be hosted by the CWL at the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care Unit, Sydney N.S., or Loaves and Fishes, Charlotte Street, Sydney, N.S. A special thank you to Fr. Neil McKenna, Dr. Greg Myatt, Dr. Ron MacCormick, and all the staff of An Cala Palliative Care unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for their amazing care and compassion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary 'Mollie' Rowlands 92, New Waterford Mary 'Mollie' Rowlands, 92, of Birch Avenue, New Waterford, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at New Waterford Hospital. Born in Newfoundland, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Adele Power. Mollie was a member of the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Agnes Church. She was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 15, New Waterford and the Scotchtown Pensioners' Club. Mollie was an active lady who enjoyed a good game of cards, knitting, reading and doing search word puzzles. She also spent a great deal of time volunteering with various organizations throughout the community. Surviving are daughters, Ida Rowlands, Ontario, Francie Rowlands, Calgary, Alta.; son, Jack (Mary Long), New Waterford; sister, Addie Pittman, Marystown, Newfoundland; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Mollie was predeceased by her husband, Alphonsus Rowlands, three brothers, Ernest, Patrick and Gus, three sisters, Katie Brake, Ethel Power and Alice Nolan, one daughter, Ethel Locke, one son, Allie and two children in infancy. Visitation will be held Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. in the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Michael Church with Fr. Paul MacNeil officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 15, New Waterford. Interment will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney. Donations in her memory may be made to the Hospice/Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca. A special thank you to Dr. Farrell, Hospice/Palliative Care, and the nurses at New Waterford Hospital for all your care and compassion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ James Gerald Gillis Grand Mira South - Gerald Gillis passed away, surrounded by family, on his 77th birthday, at the Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility in Sydney. Born in Grand Mira South on Jan. 27, 1932, he was the son of the late Neil J. and Annie (MacArthur) Gillis. Surviving are his daughters, Carol Anne, Grand Mira, and Aimee and Myra, Ottawa, Ont.; son, Jamie, Coquitlam, B.C.; grandchildren, Taylor Lynn, Cruise and Chase; sisters, Agnes MacCormick, Halifax, and Liz (Dan) MacPhee, Sydney; brothers, Francis (Martina), Grand Mira South, and John Pat Gillis, Detroit, Mich.; sisters-in-law, Mary Joe Gillis, Toronto, and Anne Marie Gillis, Grand Mira South. Predeceased by his sister, Florence, brothers, Ronald, Michael and John Alex, and brother-in-law, John MacCormick. Gerald worked for Sydney Steel and Esso for many years. He was a member of the St. Margaret of Scotland parish, the Cape Breton Liberal Association and the Cape Breton Gaelic Society. He had a passion for fishing, farming and for keeping the Gaelic language alive. Very special thanks to the staff of Spanish Bay in the Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility for their many years of quality care. Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will take place St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Grand Mira South, on Saturday, 11 a.m., with Rev. Paul MacGillivary and Rev. Norman MacPhee officiating. Interment in the church cemetery. Following the mass, a reception will be held in the community hall. Memorial donations may be made to St. Margaret's parish cemetery or charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peter McNeil 66, Glace Bay - It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing, at home, of Peter Sylvestre McNeil on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. Born in Reserve Mines, he was a son of the late Roderick Sylvestre and Margaret (DeDieu) McNeil. A devoted family man, Peter was a member of St. Anthony's Church. Peter is survived by his wife, Edna; his children, John R. (Kelly), Glace Bay, Helen (Jerome), Dominion, April, Glace Bay, Charlene (Bernie), Sydney; grandchildren, Kirsten, Nicole, Tyler, Brooklyn, Lauren and Myranda; brothers, Clarence, Halifax, Charles (Catherine), Oshawa, Robert (Frances), Sydney River, Paul (Riko), Vancouver; sisters, Mary, Sydney and Belinda (Greg) Boudreau, Prospect, N.S. Besides his parents, Peter was predeceased by a brother, John A. Funeral Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Anthony's Church, on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at 10 a.m.., Fr. Bill Rankin officiating. Memorial donations in Peter's memory are preferred to the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences to jmcurry@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Everett Grant MacIntosh 52, Edmonton/Sydney Mines - It is with heartfelt sadness the family announce the sudden passing of Everett Grant MacIntosh, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, a resident of Edmonton, and formerly of Sydney Mines on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, in Fort McMurray, Alta. Born on May 27, 1956 in Sydney Mines, he was the son of the late Everett and Marie MacIntosh. Everett is survived by his wife of 27 years Vera (Whalen) MacIntosh; and his three sons, Hughie (Leanne), Dennis (Natasha) and Michael (Kathy), all of Edmonton; two grandchildren, Dominic and Devon; his brothers, Robert (Janice), Sydney Mines, Georgie (Cathy), North Sydney, Jimmy (Cathy) and John (Michelle), both of Ontario; his sisters, Kathy (Martin), Ontario, Rhonda (Thane), Edmonton, Wynn, Ontario, and Mary Ellen (Bob), North Sydney; his father and mother-in-law, Kevin and Madonna Whalen, North Sydney; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by a sister, Karl. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catherine Effie 'Kay' Vatcher Belleville, Ont. - At the Westgate Lodge Nursing Home, Belleville on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, in her 97th year. Beloved daughter of the late Annie Morrison and John MacPherson. Dear sister of Anna Lewis. Predeceased by her husband, John Vatcher, her brothers, Angus, Roderick and George. Lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in Sydney at a later date. Catherine worked in Sydney for a number of years before leaving for Boston where she worked for 10 years. She was a member at St. Andrew's United Church. Online condolences at www.burkefuneral.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Christine (MacQueen) Jacques Memorial Service - A memorial service for Christine (MacQueen) Jacques will be held Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Sydney River United Protestant Church. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org