Rachel "Rae" Catherine James

JAMES (MacArthur), Rachel Catherine "Rae" - Of Dartmouth, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2015, with her family by her side and in her heart just three days away from her 65th wedding anniversary. Rae, born in Inverness, was a daughter of the late John D. and Rose (MacLean) MacArthur. While working at Maritime Finance, Rae met her future husband, Don James. They married July 8, 1950 and after Dad decided to join the RCAF, they ventured into the married life of a military family with Summerside, P.E.I., being the first posting. It was here two children were born and it was also here that Mom contracted polio in 1954. With an early diagnosis and the family in quarantine, Mom recovered with no ill effects. Postings involved living in Portage la Prairie, Camp Borden, Winnipeg and Chatham. It was while in Camp Borden that mom gave birth to twins. No matter where we lived, Rae remained firm in her faith. She was part of the Military Vicariate component of the CWL for years and held the post of national president for a few years. Rae was primarily a stay at home mom but worked as a cashier at the CFB Westin theatre and as Dr. Jim Smith's first constituency assistant as the MLA for Dartmouth East. Rae loved her family, politics and Coronation Street and not necessarily in that order, depending on the day. Rae also loved her five-pin bowling and a good game of cards whether it was euchre, crib or 45s. Throughout all she encouraged and supported her children in their education and sports. When the youngest sons played against each other in goal, she carefully studied the center line hoping for a tie. Upon retirement from the military life, Dartmouth became home. It was here Rae reconnected with her family and adopted Don's parents as her own. Many weekends were spent in Pleasant Harbour where many card games took place until the wee hours of the mornings. Rae lived a good life and was thankful for so many things. She believed in giving back and set that example for her children. Rae was the last surviving of her immediate family. She was predeceased by sisters, Mabel Ann, Josephine (Bricky), Christina "Tina" and Rosena and brothers, Charles, Duncan and Stanley. Rae is survived by her husband, Donald and children, Graham, Anne, David/Rusty (Gene), Dennis (Angela) and her daughter-in-law, Heather Sutherland. She is also survived by grandchildren, Tyler, Lindsay, Darren, Michele and Rachel and step grandchildren, Riley, Monica and Ian and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 8, from 7-9 p.m. in A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St., Dartmouth. The funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, in St. Clement's Parish, 16 Gaston Rd., Dartmouth, with Father Gilbert Bertrand, OMI officiating. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall. Interment will take place at 2 p.m. in Pleasant Harbour Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations in Rae's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (St. Clement's) or the United Church, Sheet Harbour for the upkeep of Pleasant Harbour Cemetery. Email condolences may be sent to: [email protected]