Cape Breton Deaths June 27, 2008 Friday Mary Remigius (MacNeil) MacDonald 89, New Waterford - With great sadness, we announce the loss of our Mother, Mary, who passed away peacefully at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital on June 25, 2008, after a brief illness. Mary was born in New Waterford on May 18, 1919, and was the second child of James Daniel MacNeil and Mary Ann Marsh. Mary attended high school at Mount Carmel where she developed a love of Latin. In later years, she enjoyed coaching her children in their Latin studies. Following high school, she was employed as a sales clerk at Benny Epstein's clothing store until her marriage to our father, Angus 'Curly' MacDonald in 1942. They resided in Woodstock, Ont., where Mom forged new friends while Dad served as an instructor at the nearby army base. Following the war, they returned to New Waterford to settle and raise a family. Mary was devoted to family. The love and respect she expressed to her own parents and siblings was one of the many values she imparted to her children. She had tremendous compassion for others, seeking goodness in their character and offering empathy. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to value commitment and hard work and was very proud of their accomplishments. She took great interest and pride not only in their academic accomplishments, but also in their capacity as loving adults and parents. At the age of 57, Mary lost her husband and mother within a four-month period and entered a new phase in her life when she could devote time to friends, grandchildren, and personal interests. She became a bingo enthusiast and for many years and enjoyed the companionship of her friends at bingo. She was a founding member of the Devco Pensioners' Relief Association and actively served on the executive committee. Mary was a devout Roman Catholic; she had a passion for baking; she enjoyed reading, knitting, gardening, and solving cryptograms. In recent years, when Mary was confined to her home, she appreciated the service of her homecare workers. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and their families: Son, Bill MacDonald and daughter-in-law Lorna; granddaughter, Michelle and great-granddaughters, Lauren, Erin and Julia; grandson, Bill and his wife Rachel, and great-granddaughter, Hannah, all of Sydney; daughter, Marcia Currie and son-in-law Jim of Halifax, and granddaughter, Dr. Maria Currie, London, Ont.; son, Allister MacDonald and daughter-in-law Rhoda; granddaughters, Louise and Breagh and grandson, Michael, all of New Waterford; son, Parker MacDonald of New Waterford; son, Paul MacDonald and daughter-in-law Jeannette; granddaughters, Angela and Natalie and grandson, Shawn, all of Brampton, Ont.; granddaughter, Brenda Lee Drake and her husband Cory, and great-grandchildren, Haley, Jade, Kaine; granddaughter, Lisa; grandson, Gregory and great granddaughters, Merissa and Brianna, all of New Waterford. Mary was predeceased by husband, Angus MacDonald and sons, John Gregory and James Daniel. She is survived by her sister, Vina MacIntyre. She was predeceased by stepfather, William Doyle, and siblings, Evelyn Popaduk, Lila Tighe, Marion Leonard, John Doyle, and James Doyle. There will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m. in the Parish of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Church. Interment in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a reception at Carmel Centre following the mass. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. To send messages of condolence, visit www.vjmcgillivray.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edith Christina Cook 57, Halifax/New Waterford - We, the family of Edie Cook, are saddened to announce her sudden death on Saturday, June 21, 2008, in Halifax. Born in New Waterford, she was the daughter of the late Peter Cook from Reserve Mines and Bessie (Dickson) Cook from New Waterford. Edie attended Mt. Carmel School and later graduated from the Cape Breton Business College in Sydney. She was employed at St. Mary's University in Halifax. Edie loved going to Tim Hortons on Dutch Village Road, Halifax, and her compassionate and caring nature will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Edie is survived by three sisters, Catherine (Bernie Landry), Betty Anne (Murray Kirkpatrick), Ruth Gaudet and four brothers, Patrick 'Paddy', Peter (Aleta), John and Bernie. Also surviving is Edie's brother-in-law, John William Fraser and several nieces and nephews. Edie was predeceased by the love of her life, Dean Edwards, four sisters, Margaret Fraser, Alice, Sheila and Patricia in infancy as well as three brothers, Jimmy, John and David in infancy. She was also predeceased by her grandparents, Peter Sr. and Catherine (MacEachern) Cook and John and Margaret (Morrison) Dickson. Cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008, at 11 a.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, 380 Smith St., New Waterford, with Rev. Duncan Roach officiating. Interment to follow in St. Leonard, Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Condolences to the family can be expressed through the funeral home at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Donald) Bradley Kerr 52, Round Island - It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Brad Kerr, Wednesday, June 25, 2008, in his beloved Round Island. Born in Glace Bay, he was the son of Donald and Greta Kerr.Brad worked for over 25 years in the family insurance business and served as president of the Insurance Brokers Association of N.S. Brad was an avid sports player including Glace Bay Junior Miners, the Mud Hens and the Bombers. He was involved in many community organizations such as the Glace Bay School Bands. Above all else, Brad was happiest being a dad to his three children. Brad is survived by his children, Christopher, Heather and Erika; parents, Donald and Greta; brother, David and James; grandchildren, Nevaeh and Wendie. Brad was predeceased by his brother, Ross. Visitation will take place at Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay, Saturday, June 28 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Sunday at Knox United Church with Rev. John Finlayson officiating. Donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or charity of choice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Helene Jessie Agnes Cluett 78, Melvern Square, N.S. - Helene Jessie Agnes Cluett, 78, of Melvern Square, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2008, in Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton. Born in Regina, Sask., she was a daughter of the late James M. and Margaret (McCartney) Smith. Helene was a very loving wife, mother and nanny. She was very community minded and was an active volunteer who was heavily involved in the RCAF Air Women's Association. Helene is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Harold 'Skip' Cluett; daughters, Linda (Mike) Joly, Trenton, Ont.; Stephanie (Neil) Boutilier, Windsor Junction, N.S.; brother, Jim (Maureen) Smith, England; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Prager, David (Rosalyn) Boutilier, Elizabeth (Jason) Burns, Steven (Suzy) Boutilier, Kurt (Kristine) Joly, Jessie Joly; seven great-grandchildren and furry friend, 'Lucky.' She was predeceased by brother, Glen. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held 7-9 p.m., Friday, June 27, 2008, in the Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., (902) 825-3448, where the memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, June 28, 2008, Rev. Karen MacNeill officiating. By request, family flowers only. Donations in memory may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made through: www.middletonfuneralhome.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alma M. Ferguson 80, North Sydney - It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Alma Marie Ferguson, age 80, a longtime resident of Moulton Avenue, North Sydney, which occurred Thursday, June 26, 2008, at the Northside General Hospital. Born in North Sydney, she was a daughter of the late Amos and Marguerite (Gannon) Cantwell. Alma was employed as a custodian with the Northside School Board working at Thompson High School and then later at the school board offices until her retirement, she was a member of St. Joseph Church and for a number years was active with the ladies auxiliary of the parish centre. Alma is survived by two sons, Bill (Clara) Ferguson, Lake Echo, N.S., Bruce (Colleen) Ferguson, Dartmouth; three daughters, Debbie (Blair) Reashore, Sydney Mines, Georgina (Ken) Gillis, Dartmouth, Diane (Terry) Dinham, North Sydney; one sister, Madonna (Roddie) MacDonald, Sydney; one brother, Con (Mae) Cantwell, Bras d'Or. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Alma was predeceased by her husband, George Ferguson, a sister, Jennie Butts and a brother, Gerald Cantwell. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Friday, June 27 in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated 9 a.m., Saturday, June 28 at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Jim Attwood officiating. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney. Memorial donations may be made to the Nova Scotia Lung Association or to a charity of ones choice. Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Flora 'Flo' Kendrick Burnett 1937-2007 Glace Bay/Sydney - A funeral service for the late Flora 'Flo' Kendrick Burnett, age 70, who passed away on Dec. 28, 2007, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2008, in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. Rev. Michael Henderson will be officiating. A reception will follow in the funeral home. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Georgina (Chiasson) Wood 83, Toronto, Ont. - Georgina (Chiasson) Wood, age 83, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Kipling Acres Home for the Aged in Toronto, Ont. She was born in Reserve Mines, where she was a member of St. Joseph's parish. She left Reserve in the early 50s and has been a lifelong resident of Rexdale, Ont. She is survived by her son, John; her sisters, Stella (Greg) MacKinnon, Massachusetts, Carmella (Jerry) Mazze, California; special sister-in-law, Audrey (Wood) O'Neill, Ontario; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Florence and Mark Chiasson, husband, Gordon and son, Mark. She was also predeceased by brothers, Charles, Wilfred (Kid), Howard (Hurley), Aloysius and Harry. Burial has already taken place in Ontario. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mabel M. McDonald Memorial Service - A memorial service for the late Mabel M. McDonald will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008, in Knox United Church, Glace Bay at 10 a.m. with Rev. John Finlayson officiating. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org