Frances E. MacLean

It is with great sadness that the family of Frances E. MacLean, 92, of Dartmouth, announces her peaceful passing at the Admiral Nursing Home Dartmouth on Thursday May 8, 2014. She was born October 22, 1921 in Louisbourg, N.S, daughter of the late Walter and Edna (Horton) Barss. She grew up on King’s Road in Sydney and had lived in Dartmouth, N.S. since 1965. Frances enjoyed an active and productive life. Hers was a large and vibrant family and she loved all of them. She graduated from Sydney Academy at the age of fifteen, then earned her secretarial qualifications and worked for the Department of Highways. She raised three sons and went on to a lifetime of work with her husband and sons in their accounting firms. Fran met and kept many friends through her time spent enjoyably in the Sydney and Dartmouth golf and curling clubs. And of course, she gave her time to them also: serving several decades in one official volunteer capacity or another, was a part of many provincial executives including the NSLGA as treasurer for many years, and was Ladies President of both the Brightwood Golf Club and the Dartmouth Curling Club. In her curling career she won the Nova Scotia Senior Ladies Championship in 1974. She was an avid and excellent bridge player for all of her adult life. Her skills as a seamstress and a maker of dolls and teddy bears was beyond wonderful. Mom was the centre of many things and was inspirational to all who knew her. We are saddened at her passing but are thankful that now she can rest and join some of her flock up above. She is survived by sons, Bruce MacLean (Joan Williams) and David (Charlotte) MacLean all of Dartmouth, daughter-in law Leslie Lawrence Halifax, sister Aurora (Norman Johnston) of Sydney River, and brother Sedley (Anne) Barss of Chester, NS, grandchildren Allison (Randy), Gregor (Nicole), Megan (Eric) and Christopher (Heather), Jeffrey (Jenn), Jamie (Pam), as well as eight great-grand children, and many nieces and nephews in Cape Breton and across Canada. She was predeceased by her husband Ronald N. (Rannie) MacLean, CA, of Dartmouth and son J. Ross MacLean of Halifax as well as brother Walter Barss (Anita), sisters Shirley (Malcolm MacDonald), Alaire (James Kerr), all of Sydney River, N.S. In celebration of her life, a visitation will be held Wednesday May 14, from 1-2 PM, and a memorial service 2 PM with Reverend Sarah Raeburn officiating, in A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, in Dartmouth. Interment will be later in the summer in Cape Breton. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at the Glades Lodge and the Admiral for their compassionate care and kindness given to our dear mother over the past few years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stairs Memorial United Church Food Bank or a Charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to: www.mattatalfuneralhome.com