Cape Breton Deaths February 28, 2009 Saturday There are 7 obituaries for February 28, 2009. 1. Atkinson, Mary E - published February 27, 2009 2. Clarke, Aubrey George - published February 25, 2009 3. Durant, Ella M - published February 27, 2009 4. Gillis, Gregory J - published February 27, 2009 5. Higgins, James 'Jimmy' - published February 27, 2009 6. MacAulay, Daniel 'Dannie' D - published February 27, 2009 7. Mason, Elizabeth - published February 27, 2009 ___________________________________________________________________________ Mary Atkinson, Sydney at Sydney , Nova Scotia , Canada Mary Ellen Atkinson 70, Port Caledonia - It is with great sadness that we, the family announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mary Atkinson, on Friday, Feb. 26, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Sydney, June 27, 1938, she was the daughter of the late William and Mary Evelyn (Brophy) Ayre. Mary was a member of the St. Luke Anglican Church, Port Caledonia. Although Mary was a private and reserve lady, she greatly enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends. Mary enjoyed walking and visiting friends for a hot cup of tea. She had a profound appreciation for the country and the ocean. She will be sadly missed by her family and all that had the pleasure of knowing her. Surviving are her daughter, Nancy (Brian), Alberta; a son, Alan (Theresa), Alberta; a sister, Catherine (John); two brothers, Allan (Ann) and Alphonse (Carol); two sister-in-laws, Christine and Geraldine. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Sean, Carissa, Tina, Jordan, Adam and three great grandchildren, Jemiah, Aeden and Gabby. Besides her parents, Mary was predeceased by her husband, Robert (Skippy) Atkinson; two sons, Shawn and David; brother, Bill and a granddaughter, Tabitha. Visitation for the late Mary Ellen Atkinson will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Sunday March 1 from 6-9 p.m. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at St. Luke Anglican Church in Port Caledonia on Monday March 2 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Vernon W. Reid officiating. Interment will take place in the parish cemetery. Special thanks are extended to the Palliative Care and to all those who provided exceptional care during Mary's illness. Donations in Mary's memory may be made to St. Luke Anglican Church, Palliative Care or Canadian Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are entrusted with Š ___________________________________________________________________________ Mr. Aubrey George Clarke, Toronto Born in 24/02/2009 Aubrey George Clarke - Formerly of Catalone Gut, C.B. and Stellarton, N.S. A loving husband, father and grandpa; a proud Cape Bretoner and an avid gardener, Aubrey passed peacefully February 24, 2009, at St. Joseph's Hospital at age 81, with his wife, Kathryn at his side. He is now at rest with God. Aubrey was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Christine Clark, Stellarton and his foster parents, Robert and Helen MacDonald, Catalone Gut. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 and a half years, Kathryn (MacNevin); and children, James (Heather), Andrew (Jacqueline) and Heather. Grandfather to Kari and Darcy (James and Heather), and lovingly known as Grumpy to Kevin and Ryan (Heather and Don Barker). 'Aub' as he was known to neighbours and friends is survived by sisters, Marg, Nellie and Leona; brothers, Murray and Les. He was predeceased by eight brothers and sisters. Visitation will take place at Ridley Funeral Home, 3080 Lakeshore Blvd. West, from 7-9 p.m. on March 2, 2009. A 'celebration of his life' will be held March 3 at 1 p.m. in the chapel. Interment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Aubrey's name to the Salvation Army. "He will be forever in our hearts." Condolences may be placed online at www.ridleyfuneralhome.com. ___________________________________________________________________________ Ella Durant, Glace Bay at Westville , Nova Scotia , Canada Ella May Durant 1913 - 2009 Glace Bay - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother and friend. Ella Durant age 95 of Glace Bay passed away on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 at the Glace Bay Health Care Complex surrounded by her loving family. Born in Westville, N.S. she was the daughter of the late George and Rowena (Taylor) Thoms. Ella was a member of St. Mary's Anglican Church, Glace Bay and a former member of the Ladies Junior Guild. Going to church was very special to her. Ella loved to go on outings with her loving husband and best friend, Eric. She enjoyed walking, quilting and was a great baker and cook. She was most content when her family and friends were around. Ella was a very family oriented lady. She will be sadly missed by her four children, daughter, Leone (Albert) Blois, Glace Bay; granddaughter, Charlene (Gerard) Blois; great granddaughter, Erica Stevens; great grandson, Devin and great great granddaughter, Fallyn; daughter, Alma (William) Walker, Sydney River; grandson, Wilfred (Mariam) Walker; granddaughter, Lisa (David) MacLellan; great granddaughter, Courtney Walker; grandson, Derek (Shirin) Walker; great grandson, Ryan Walker; great great granddaughter, Sydney; sons, Edison 'Ed' (Sandra), Lingan and Carvle (Chermaine 'Sis' (Boone) - who passed away in 1987), Glace Bay; grandson, Eric (Diane); great granddaughter, Jenna; grandson, Blair (Kathy); grandson, Glen (Vickie) and granddaughters, Wanda Durant and Donna (Allen) MacLean, as well as several nieces and nephews. Also left to mourn Ella's passing is a sister, Hazel Austin, Ontario. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband and best friend of over 75 years, Wilfred Eric Durant - (October 18, 2008); brother, William and sisters, Hazel and Hilda. Visitation for Ella Durant will be held Monday, March 2, 2009, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at St. Mary's Anglican Church, Glace Bay with Rev. Fev. Arnold officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. All are invited to join the family for a reception at St. Mary's Church Hall. Donations in Ella's memory may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences to the Durant family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca. The Durant family would like to express a sincere thank you to Lorene Gaigneau, for all the assistance she gave over the years, as well as Breton Caregivers, New Waterford Homemakers and Dr. Rose MacKay for the compassion and understanding she gave to Ella in her final hours. What we keep in memory Is ours forever. ___________________________________________________________________________ Gregory Gillis, Glace Bay at Glace Bay , Nova Scotia , Canada - It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Gregory Joseph Gillis, 71, of Glace Bay on February 26, 2009, at home. Born in Glace Bay, Gregory was the son of the late Thomas and Mary (Troicuk) Gillis. After joining the military, Gregory served overseas in Germany for nine years and was very proud of the medal he received from the peace keeping forces. Gregory loved the army and to hear news of home while away. He also loved his guitar and playing at dances and family reunions in Toronto. When Gregory came back from Germany he was stationed in Winnipeg, where he was surprised to find his brother Tom living. Gregory's family loved to listen to his war stories. Gregory retired in Toronto which he loved but always wanted to come to Cape Breton. When he moved to Glace Bay, he bought a bike and loved travelling, gardening, shooting pool at Billy D's and made frequent visits to the legion. Gregory loved talking to his neighbors, especially Melvin Tutty, who was always there to help him out. Gregory lived in Glace Bay for a year and a half and it was the happiest time of his life. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. His family would like to thank Palliative Care workers and also the VON. A special thank you to Veronica Gordon Simms - "they were my rock". He'll be missed by brother, Don and nephew, Alan and sister, Patricia. Gregory is survived by sister, Patricia Aitken of Glace Bay and brother, Don Gillis of Toronto. Besides his parents, Gregory was predeceased by his brother, Tom. There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place with burial at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay, 849-7520. Donations in Gregory's memory can be made to Palliative Care or the VON. Online condolence's may be e-mailed to patten@seaside.ns.ca ___________________________________________________________________________ James 'Jimmy' Higgins, Glace Bay at Dominion , Nova Scotia , Canada - It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of James 'Jimmy' Higgins on February 27, 2009 at the Cape Breton Health Care Complex, Glace Bay. Born in Dominion, he was the son of the late William and Sarah Louise (Butts) Higgins. Jimmy enjoyed woodworking, golf, hockey, darts and was a member of the Hawks Club, Dominion. He is survived by his wife, Donna (Reid); son, William (Leslie), Ontario and daughter, Cheryl (Barry), Alberta; grandchildren, Curtis, Taylor Ann, Evan, Drew, Amanda, Stephen, Christropher, William and great grandson, Aiden; sisters, Marion McInnis and Margaret (Garvie) Roach, both of Dominion; brothers, Will (Margaret), Bridgeport and Joseph (Harriett), Dominion; and his dog 'Max'. Besides his parents, Jimmy was also predeceased by brother, Michael and sister, Mary, both in infancy; mother and father-in-law, Hugh and Elizabeth Reid, brothers-in-law, Richard McInnis, Wishie Roach and Rod Reid and sister-in-law, Ruth Reid. By his request, cremation has taken place with arrangements under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, 862-7500. A memorial service and burial will take place at a later date. Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the C. B. Palliative Care. To send online condolences to the family go to wwwmclellanfuneralhome.com. ___________________________________________________________________________ Daniel 'Dannie' MacAulay, Baddeck at Baddeck Bay , Nova Scotia , Canada - Daniel Duncan 'Dannie' MacAulay, 91 of Baddeck, Cape Breton, died February 26, 2009. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and close friends. Dannie was born in Baddeck Bay and was the son of the late Anne (MacDonald) and Murdock MacAulay. He was a retired mechanic and partner at MacAulay's Garage and later an innkeeper with his wife Isobel at Inverary Inn. He was involved in Greenwood United Church, Baddeck AA Group as a founding member, St. Mark's Lodge #35, Victoria Chapter OES, Gideon's Salvation Army Board, lay preaching and served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Dannie is survived by his wife and best friends of 67 years, the former Isobel MacDonald; as well as children, Marjorie Dawn (Linden), Hillsborough, N.B., Charlotte (Vince), Riverview, N.B., Debbie (Neil), Baddeck, Scott (Terri), Baddeck and Kim (Tom), Halifax. Dannie was blessed with 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother and former business partner, Gordon, Baddeck and many special nephews, nieces, cousins, caregivers and his faithful sheltie, Jamie. Dannie was predeceased by teenage son, Daniel; infant daughter, Joy Anne; sisters, Margaret and Isobel; brothers, Alex and Dougal; son-in-law, Don Rough; in-laws, Marjorie and John Voorhees; special mother-in-law, Tye; brother-in-law, Campbell; niece, Margaret and nephews, Buster and Fraser. Dannie had a curious mind and worked well with the many challenges of life. He had a down to earth wisdom. He loved to work hard (and see others do the same!), visit with anyone and help all in need. Visitation will take place at the MacAulay Conference Center, Inverary Resort, Baddeck on Monday, March 2, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Masonic Service will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday. The funeral will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Greenwood United Church, Baddeck, with Rev. Karen Lynch officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to L'Arche Cape Breton, Greenwood United Church or the charity of your choice. ___________________________________________________________________________ Ms. Elizabeth Mason, Kamloops Born in 20/07/1937 Elizabeth (MacKenzie) Mason Dartmouth/Kamloops - Elizabeth (MacKenzie) Mason of Dartmouth and Kamloops, B.C., passed away at the Marjorie Snowden Willoughby Hospice Home on February 4, 2009 following a considerable struggle with cancer. She served as executive director of WET-NS, where she was instrumental in the development and implementation of National Policy and training regimens for wood burning appliances. She spearheaded many legislative changes with respect to the woodheating industry. She was well known all over Canada for her involvement in WETT Inc. and CSA. She owned her own hearth product store in Dartmouth as well as working as an accountant for many small businesses. She will be remembered as a caring, social and loving person and also a fabulous cook and seamstress. Elizabeth was an active member of the Stairs Memorial United Church of Dartmouth for many years; served on the board, was a life member of the UCS and held many positions within the church and UCW. She is survived by her father, Alex MacKenzie, Glace Bay, N.S.; son, John MacKay, Vernon, B.C.; sister, Ethel Loveall, Halifax and brothers, Sandy, Port Hawkesbury, Fred (Joyce) and Fultz (Joanne), Halifax; uncles Fultz, Halifax, Freeman, P.E.I., Phillip, Sydney and Aunt Elsa, as well as nieces, Marisa, Alison, Shelly, Tanya, Jennifer and nephew, Alex; grandnieces and nephews include, Victoria, Rebecca, Isaac, Bejamin and Megan and Daniel. She was predeceased by her mother, Beulah Myrtle (Bagnell) MacKenzie; her first husband, Ken McKay; her husband, Emmett Mason and brother, Ken. A memorial service will be held at Stairs Memorial United in Dartmouth during the month of May. A notice will be posted when arrangements are confirmed. You may express your sympathy by making a donation to Canadian Cancer Society, Stairs memorial united Church or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of the Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St., Dartmouth, N.S., N.S. B2Y 1J5, Ca. 902-461-0700. If you would like to send condolences to any family members, please send via e-mail at condolences.mattatall@ns.sympatico.ca ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org