~ Obituary for ~

Mary "Phyllis" MacDONALD

MacDONALD (Horne), Mary "Phyllis", Little Dover. It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the pillar of our family Phyllis MacDonald at the age of 76, on Friday, November 28, 2014, one week shy of her 77th birthday, in Eastern Memorial Hospital, Canso. Phyllis was born in Little Dover, Guysborough Co., on December 7, 1937 to the late Harry E. and Lucy E. (Keefe) Horne. She is survived by her husband Clair "Gus" MacDonald, Little Dover; her children, Coleen (JP) Martinello, Middle Sackville; Kevin (Rhonda), Little Dover; Karen (Steve) Montgomery, Charlottetown, PEI; Kathy (Darryl Carroll), Springhill; Keith (Marsha), Petawawa, ON; Kara (Philip) Scott, Springhill and Shane, Little Dover. Also survived by the lights of her life, her grandchildren, Mitchell, Justin, Joshua, Erika, Chantel, Lucy, Felicity, Benjamin, Jenna, Liam and Jarek. Her siblings, Ronnie (Maryann), Antigonish; Anita (Enos) Richard, Canso; Cyril (Sandra) Westville; Terry (Marg), Canso; Paul (Lorna), Canso; and Gary, Little Dover. She will also be dearly missed by her brothers, sisters-in-laws and her many nieces and nephews. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, her parents-in-law, Joseph and Lillian (Fougere) MacDonald and a brother Kevin in infancy. At the young age of 15, Phyllis went to work in the housekeeping department at St. F.X. University, and then commenced a long career as a labourer at the Canso Fish Plant. During this time she was an active member of the UFCW and CAW and served as shop steward and secretary. She also worked for a number of years in the housekeeping department at Eastern Memorial Hospital, Canso. Phyllis was an active member of her community; she volunteered at the Home and School, Minor Hockey and numerous other organizations. She loved to bake and cook and often catered for many weddings (including making the cakes) and functions within the community. Phyllis enjoyed playing cards, but her true passion was bingo; she always carried her bingo dabbers and played bingo everywhere she went and even played on two continents. She was a member of the former St. Anne's Society and the Seniors Club of Little Dover. Cremation has taken place; the funeral service will be held Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 2 p.m. from Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Canso, where Phyllis and Clair were married 53 years ago, with Father Dan MacDonald officiating. Prior to the funeral there will be a visitation at the church from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Little Dover. . Donations in Phyllis's memory may be made to the palliative care unit of Eastern Memorial Hospital, Canso, or the charity of one's choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com.