Annabel Joan MacLean

My journey September 4th 1935- February 24 2025

It is with heavy hearts, great sadness and sorrow that the family announce Annabel’s passing at the age of 89. Annabel was born in Inverness Memorial Hospital on September 4th, 1935, to Hawley and Flora Smith of Hillsborough. She grew up on the family hillside farm, the little girl with the long wavy blonde hair. She learned the ways of the farm life with her older brother Murdoch and her younger brother Isaac by her mother’s side during the trying years of the late 30s and early 40s. Her father had to work away in the mines of Ontario to make ends meet returning for part time for part of the year to farming. The close-knit community as it was back then supported each other and families helped each other out. Annabel could often be seen running errands from farm to farm and village with the family pickup truck at an early age of 13. She attended school at the one room school in Hillsborough up to grade 9. She then boarded a train for a new journey to continue her high school in Annapolis Royal. There she stayed with family friends returning home for summers. Upon completing, she then attended secondary education at the Mabou Convent where she graduated with business courses. Annabel then found work at the Royal Bank of Canada in Inverness. She and her best friend, Joyce MacQuarrie boarded in the town of Inverness and there she made lifelong friends in this community as well Annabel met her future husband, Wentworth MacLean the love of her life and so began a lifetime of loving and caring. Wentworth had to work away in the woods of Quebec in the winter of 1955 and then later a tire factory in Toronto in 1956. In the summer of 1957, they were engaged at home in Hillsborough. Annabel eventually joined Wentworth in Toronto in 1958 where she worked at CIBC. They were married in August of 1959 in Hillsborough. They welcomed a son, Dale the following year in 1960 in Toronto. Remaining in Toronto until 1963, moving home when Wentworth’s father Hugh had been injured in an accident. So Wentworth came home to tend to his father’s family farm in Strathorne. Annabel soon found work and an agriculture office in Mabou for a short time then was offered a job at Royal Bank of Canada in Inverness. Once again a second son followed in 1966, and Annabel then took a job with the Memorial Hospital’s administrative office for approximately two years. It was a different process, and she missed the people, the one-on-one discussions and the problem solving, so she returned to the Royal Bank and remained until her retirement in 1995. She met so many people from all over the community and the country and visitors from everywhere as well. She just loved people and their stories. The church had always been a central part of her life along with family and relatives, all were very important to her and close ties with her faith and family, guiding her throughout life.

Not one for practical jokes or pranks, nevertheless enjoyed a good yarn or tale when family and relatives got together in Centerville, Mabou or Lake Ainslie. There were always stories about pastimes, people and events told with colorful expression to which Annabel enjoyed immensely. Annabel was a tireless homemaker, cooking, baking and knitting were paramount. There would be a flurry of activity in the kitchen, preceding a church gathering or service, hospital function, seasonal celebration or just restocking things in the pantry. Many assorted cookies, squares, loaves, muffins, cupcakes and of course her waffles and biscuits. A number of casseroles were on the menu as well as her deep-dish lasagna two or three at a time taking part of 2 days to build as well as everyday meals. Annabel was a member of the Hillsborough United Church for many years then became a member of St John’s United Church, Strathlorne, where she was a member for over 50 years. She attended church in all five churches within the Saint John Pastoral Church throughout her life. She followed in the footsteps of her mother-in-law, Florence MacLean, and assumed the role of Treasurer for Saint John’s United Church for over 37 years, all done with paper, pen, pencil and typewriter, hours of figuring, double &triple checking until everything was right. Annabel sat on various committees within the church, attending meetings with Presbytery. She also was a member of the church GIL women’s group; Annabel took great pleasure in attending these meetings and enjoying time spent with her friends. In 1992 Annabel received a special achievement award from the Royal Bank of Canada in recognition of demonstrating an exceptional amount of ”caring". She humbly accepted with gratitude. Two other words could easily have been added... giving and loving, always one to be thinking of others she was often visiting the hospital checking in on friends' family relatives or people she met through work offering them support love and concern for their wellbeing and recovery. Annabel took great care of her parents Hawley and Florence, throughout their illness and passing as well as her in laws Hugh and Florence, and other family and relatives receive the same devotion and care. Annabel and Wentworth like to travel, some by car, mainly to visit family and friends in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Boston. Usually a couple of weekends and weeks each year summer and fall they thoroughly enjoyed the travel experience with no pressure on distance or time. Annabelle leaves behind her loving husband of 65 years, Wentworth: sons, Dale, Darren (Noreen); brother, Isaac; nieces and nephew, Heather (Sherad), Faith (Nuno), Paul ,Julia ,Lisa (Rick), Nancy (Richard), Ann Marie; brother-in-law, Jim McAskill; grandson, Cody (Sonia); 7 great-grandchildren, 20 great-grand nieces and nephews; step-grandsons, Leon and Jason (Caroline ); and 3 step-great-grandsons. Annabel was predeceased by her parents, Hawley and Flora (Campbell) Smith; brother, Murdoch; sister-in-law, Mary (MacLean) Smith; and nephew, Myron Smith. She was also predeceased by her in-laws, Hugh and Florence Fleiger MacLean; brother and sister-in-law, David and Juanita MacLean; nephew, Gregory MacLean; and sister-in-law, Ruth (MacLean) MacAskil. The last few years were challenging for Annabel, not being able to do her lifelong tasks, cooking, baking, visiting or taking part in regular church services. These were all part of her being she accepted these challenges as best she could always hoping for better days. The family would like to take this time to express our gratitude and great appreciation for all the tremendous and wonderful care that was provided to Annabel over the last number of years. Home care for their support during some of the most difficult times, her many doctors and nurses and the staff at Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital who took such compassionate care of Annabel right to the end. A very special thank you to Mary Anderson, who Annabel held a special place for. Many thanks also to the kind donations of food, treats and cards of condolences, phone calls from all over your thoughts and prayers will not be forgotten. Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held in Inverness Funeral Home on Friday July 18th, 2025 from 4-8 pm. Funeral Service to take place in St. John's United Church, Strathlorne on Saturday, July 19th, 2025 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Nick Phillips celebrating.

Memorial donations can be made to St John’s United Church Strathorne.

Annabel also leaves behind her fur babies, Sammy who stretched out on her lap to watch TV and Lila who waited every night for her to come to bed and stay with her puppy Casey was just always happy to see Annabel and share a social tea cookie and a sleepover once in a while XO

Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com