Vivian Joan Moran was born on May 31, 1936 in Ottawa, Ontario to Madge and Dermott Moran. She was the eldest of five children – predeceased by brothers Terry and Danny and her brother-in-law, Richard d’Entremont. She is survived by sisters, Sr. Patricia and Dorothy as well as Dorothy’s children Carol Ann, Kevin and Dwayne and their families.
Mom was predeceased by her firstborn, daughter Patricia who died in infancy. Mom is survived by son Owen MacDonald and his wife Debbie Hanson, step grandson Jason Harvey (Genny) and step great grandchildren Makayla, Ava, Aria and step great great grandchildren Brandan and Jason. She was predeceased by step grandson, Jermaine.
Also surviving is daughter Heather MacDonald Miller and her husband Mackie, grandson Joe, great grandson Mason and Mason’s mom, Kristina, step granddaughter Carrie (Chris), step great grandchildren Deven (Maddie) and Kelsie, step granddaughter Tammie (Chris) and step great granddaughter Callie.
Mom is also survived by daughter Lynn MacDonald Jamieson and her husband Dean and granddaughter Sarah (Cole).
Mom’s youngest surviving child is Sr. Teresa MacDonald of the Franciscans of Halifax (born Bonnie MacDonald).
Mom is also survived by former husband, Joe MacDonald. Although they did not stay together, they remained friends throughout her life.
Mom moved with husband and children to Nova Scotia in 1972 where she lived until her death February 29, 2024. During those years, she built strong, loving bonds with her brothers and sisters-in-law and their families whom she loved dearly.
Mom’s faith in God was unwavering throughout her lifetime, having joined the Sisters of St. Joseph in Ontario when she was a teenager. In 2006, after raising her family, Mom again took holy vows and lived the life of a Nun as Sister Helen with the Franciscans of Halifax until her health forced her to leave life in the convent and join the lay consecrated branch of the Franciscans of Halifax. She lived in her own home and remained faithful to the consecrated life to which God called her.
Mom had many, many jobs over the years in nursing homes and doing home support work before retiring. She was an amazing cook and did some catering for a brief time. Mom also did some travelling with her friends, many of whom she has now joined in Heaven.
Mom moved to Assisted Living in Caritas in 2020 and spent her final years living among the Sisters of Charity and the ladies of Victoria Hall. The family would like to thank everyone at Caritas for the love and care they provided to Mom over the years – especially Lenora Greer and Mona Feron.
The greatest joy in “Nanny’s” life was her grandchildren, Joe and Sarah, and her great grandson, Mason. She loved them unconditionally and completely and leaving them behind would be her greatest sorrow. Her greatest wish would be happiness for them.
Funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 11th at 11 o’clock in the morning at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 6476 Bayers Road, Halifax with private interment at a later date. The family requests family flowers only with donations in Mom’s name to the Franciscans of Halifax (https://www.franciscansofhalifax.com/).
Rest in peace Nanny/Mom. We will miss you every day until we are reunited for eternity and we know that will happen because your faith was strong enough for all of us.
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