Anita Marie MacLeod (née MacLellan) passed away at her home in Dunvegan on December 21, 2025. Born in Inverness on August 21, 1946, she was the daughter of Lewis and Marion (Walker) MacLellan of Dunvegan. She is survived by her siblings: Judy Breau (Henry) Arichat, NS, Mary Lou Beaton (Leo), Mabou, NS, Gerard MacLellan (Rose), Innisfil, ON; her children: Alexander (Crystal), Dartmouth, NS, Lewis (Meghan), Peterborough, ON, Kenneth, Windsor, ON, Marion Jean (Ken), Windsor, ON, Daniel (Amy), Dunvegan, NS, and Andrew (Chloe) Windsor, ON. She was the beloved, biscuit-baking, Grandma of Evelyn, John Robert and Frances; Hamish, Clementine, Matilda and Susannah; Alistair, Joe, Murdoch and Elizabeth; and Edward, Lewis and Allan. She was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Alistair, their infant son, Donald, her brother, Donnie, and her sister, Freda.
Anita devoted her life to her family, her faith, her community, and her culture. Her home was a site of legendary hospitality, full of music, excellent food and drink, unconditional love, and genuine compassion for all in need. Her door always open, her driveway overflowing, her living room stuffed with living: she extended her love to thousands of people over the years.
A math whiz, a cribbage champion, and a gifted educator in many different areas, Anita’s intelligence and curiosity were wide-ranging. After working as a teacher in Inverness, Halifax, and Toronto, she raised her family in Windsor, and later completed a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry at Assumption University. She devoted many years of her life to serving the people of Holy Name of Mary and Assumption parishes in Windsor, and St. Margaret of Scotland in Broad Cove. A woman of profound faith, she led by example and showed those around her how to bring Christ’s teachings into the world. She volunteered endlessly, never said “no” when she was needed, and always remained committed to the protection of the most vulnerable people in our society. Every initiative she ever participated in benefitted from her wisdom and energy.
A longtime member of Còisir an Eilein, the Gaelic choir of Inverness County, she loved her language and culture and worked hard to preserve this heritage and pass it on to the next generation. A pillar of her community, she contributed to the Broad Cove Scottish Concert throughout the whole arc of her life, serving first beside her own parents, then her children, then her grandchildren. She lived for moments like these, where everyone comes together and works hard for a good cause, surrounded by family and friends and all the people we love.
Those who knew her best will strive to follow her example.
Visitation will take place December 29, 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Inverness Funeral Home, 45 MacIsaac Street, Inverness, NS. (902) 258-2333. Funeral Mass will be celebrated
December 30, 11am at St. Margaret of Scotland parish, Broad Cove, Fr. Danny MacLennan presiding. A memorial service will be held in Windsor in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cemetery fund, St. Margaret of Scotland parish, or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Assumption Parish, Windsor, Ont.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
