Anita Marie MacDougall

Anita Marie MacDougall (née Mary Ann Rankin) passed away peacefully on December 23, 2020. She was born September 8, 1937 in Mabou, NS to the late Finlay and Margaret (Beaton) Rankin. Anita lost her brother AJ and her mother when she was four and father at age seven. The four children were placed with different relatives and Anita was blessed to be able to live with her Aunt Maggie in Mabou, until her passing three years later. Following this, she lived in Port Hood with the MacArthur family until her aunt, Sister Anita, CND, was able to fulfill a promise to bring her to St Joseph’s boarding school for grades 10-12. Her aunt’s love of learning and music influenced so many aspects of Anita’s life. During holidays Anita lived with Uncle Angus, Aunt Sally, and their children, whom she considered siblings.

While studying nursing at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish, Anita met her lifelong friends. With them, she shared her talents of piano and dancing every chance she could. It was at one of the dances in Cape Breton where she met Don. Six years later they married, and this year they would have celebrated their 55th anniversary. Their passion for faith, Celitc music, and dance was a constant in their lives and in their children’s.

Anita’s nursing career included St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, Beth Israel in Boston, the Halifax Infirmary, the IWK, and Northwood in Halifax. Her dedication to the profession of nursing and caring nature was felt by all.

While raising 4 children, volunteering, and working, Anita completed her nursing degree

at Dalhousie University. She and Don started the St Agnes Home and School Association, and she was a key figure in fundraising efforts for St. Agnes School and Church, St. Martha’s Hospital, Westray Miners, and many other worthy causes.

Anita’s passion for Celtic culture was most prominent when she was the Program Director for Amethyst Highland Dancers of NS for 18 years. She took this volunteer job to the next level connecting Amethyst with John Allan Cameron, Ashley MacIsaac, Natalie MacMaster, and members of the Rankin Family. She and Don worked as a team to bring their daughters and Amethyst to perform at conferences, cruise ships, and fundraisers all across the Maritimes, Canada, and internationally. She never took no for an answer.

Mabou is where Anita’s heart has always been. Her best memories were of St FX reunions, sing-alongs, and everything Mabou. She was blessed with incredible family and friends, from Amethyst to St FX to St Martha’s.

Anita is survived by her children Dave (Krista) MacDougall, Seana (Todd) Stewart, Robert MacDougall, Marcy (Revi) Lau-a; grandchildren Maggie and Ben MacDougall, Rankin and Kaitlyn Stewart, Casey MacDougall, and Charlotte, Cam, and Dougall Lau-a; her brother Xavier (Mary Catherine) Rankin and children; niece Gina (Kevin) Boyd and children; and brother-in-law Barry St Pierre and children; as well as the Beaton family: Margo, Sandra, Allan, Helenanne, Miriam, Lorraine, and Norman. Anita is predeceased by her husband Don; parents and brother AJ, sisters Marcy and Sandra; second parents Angus ‘Central’ and Sally Beaton, cousins Pat and Kevin Beaton; niece Laurie St. Pierre, and sister-in-law Anne St Pierre. Anita and Don’s son Rob spent the past 8 years dedicated to his parents. We would like to thank Dr Drysdale-Buhr, Alzheimer's Society, staff on 8.1 at the Halifax Infirmary, and the Halifax Hospice for making Anita’s final day’s ones filled with love and compassion.

Anita’s funeral will take place this summer when we will be able to gather to celebrate her with music and dance. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of your choice. For online condolences and funeral updates visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com