Jessie Ann Rankin

      When Jessie Ann Rankin walked into the room, those in her company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who Jessie was and how she impacted those around her. Jessie was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Jessie wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries. Jessie was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve her well throughout her life.

      Jessie was born on January 25, 1923 at Mount Young, Inverness County, Cape Breton. She was the daughter of Ronald and Annie ( MacKinnon ) MacDougall. Jessie was raised in Mount Young, Inverness County. Always at the ready with a good joke, she grew up to be quite a humorous person. While some who knew Jessie might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that Jessie was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.

      Jessie was raised with 11 siblings. She had 5 brothers, Allan, John D., Danny and predeceased in infancy, John and John Dan and 6 sisters, Mary Ellen, Josephine, Laura, Mary Margaret, Peggy and predeceased in infancy, little Laura. Jessie was very accepting and supportive of her family. She was perceived as the central person in her family in terms of keeping communication open between the family members. Whenever discord or tension arose within the home, Jessie was typically the member who brought about resolution and harmony. These traits served Jessie well in her adult life and, along with her wit, outgoing personality, and understanding of others, drew the admiration of many who knew her.

      As a young girl, Jessie was able to empathize and identify with a vast array of people and personality types. This quality drew her into a diverse group of friends and acquaintances. Jessie was intelligent and had little trouble getting along with her peers. She was almost always the first to jump in when it came to playing games or participating in other childhood activities. In her spare time she liked knitting, which was taught to her by her Grandmother. Jessie had the ability to find amusement with almost any activity she and the many childhood friends she shared might discover.

      With a talent for making acquaintances easily which in turn brought her an endless stream of friends, Jessie was very sociable and could blend without effort into any social group. Assertive and outgoing, Jessie was easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. She always seemed aware of what was going on with people around her and throughout her life she made many, many friends. Jessie kept a personal daily diary from November 22, 1943 to November 21, 1944, when she was 18 to 19 years old. At the time she was working for and boarding with a Doctor's family in Sydney. Her diary highlights her outgoing personality with her many friends and acquaintances. They loved to go to dances every week coming home in the early hours of the morning. Her diary also highlights another very important part of her life, her deep faith in God and the catholic religion. Her faith was what carried her throughout her life and was the foundation for the success of her children. Later in life, she became lifelong friends with Christy Ellen Rankin, whom she met while working at the dockyards in Halifax during the war, serving meals to servicemen who were getting ready to depart overseas.

       Jessie's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in her ability to make her new family happy. She was quite sensitive towards Neil's needs, showing her constant concern and fondness. Jessie was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family.

      Jessie was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide her family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Jessie, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became a game in the Rankin home. Jessie's skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up. Jessie was blessed with eight children with one deceased as a child ( Heather ): four daughters, Annette, Frances, Elaine and Heather and four sons, Ronnie, Jerry, Terrence and Blair. They were also blessed with seventeen grandchildren, John, Alana, Amy, Arlene, Lindsay, Kris, Devin, Derrick, Lauralee, Peter, Paula, Michael, Christine, Terrilyn, Jordan, Katelyn and Chris.

      Jessie was uplifted by new ideas and was excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made her an exceptional worker. Her primary occupation was homemaker for her family. Jessie was enterprising, inventive and working against deadlines seemed to energize her. Jessie had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of her gift for insight. Jessie's fellow workers saw her as a supporter and a mentor.

      Because Jessie loved to have a broad variety of activities in her life, she took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. Jessie was an accomplished knitter, including mitts, socks, scarfs, dishcloths and afghan's. Her children have been blessed with quilts and table cloths made lovingly by her hand, for all to cherish. Jessie had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of her favorite pastimes. However, Jessie's ever-present concern for others always took precedent.

      Throughout her life, Jessie was actively involved in professional and community organizations. She was compassionate, accommodating and quick to move into action. Always able to build a consensus, Jessie seemed to be the person smack dab in the middle of things, working to get things done. Those who had the opportunity to work with Jessie usually agreed that when you were involved in an organization with her, it was as entertaining as anything you could imagine. Jessie was an active member of the C. W. L. ( Catholic Women's League ) for over 50 years.

      Jessie was a woman who was dedicated and devoted to her faith. She was a member of St. Joseph's/St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish for 68 years. She was sympathetic and able to empathize with others and she used these qualities to the fullest while working tirelessly for her beliefs.

      Though she never did anything solely for individual recognition, Jessie's ingenuity, resourcefulness, and selflessness, earned her accolades for her many lifelong efforts. Some of her most prestigious awards included a 50 year member of the C. W. L.

      Jessie Rankin passed away on March 3, 2018 at at her home in Sydney Nova Scotia, surrounded by her loving family. Jessie died of natural causes at the age of 95 years. She is survived by her children, Annette, Frances, Elaine, Ronnie, Jerry, Terrence and Blair. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, Sydney, Nova Scotia. Jessie was laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery, in Sydney Forks.

      There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Jessie. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Jessie Rankin for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Jessie was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones.

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Jessie Ann Rankin

Sydney

It is with great sadness that we the family announce the peaceful passing of our beloved

mother, Jessie Ann Rankin on Saturday March 3, 2018 at home, at the age of 95. Born in

Mount Young, Inverness County on January 25, 1923, Jessie was the daughter of the late

Ronald and Annie (MacKinnon) MacDougall, and was the last surviving member of her

family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Neil Rankin; her infant daughter, Heather;

her niece, Lexie MacDonald; her grandson, Michael Rankin; her brothers, Allan, John D, Danny; sisters, Mary Ellen, Josephine, Laura, Mary Margaret, Peggy and in infancy, brothers, John, John Dan and sister, Laura.

She is survived by her children; Annette (Bernie) Pino, Sydney; Frances (Al) Caldwell Lethbridge, AB; Elaine (Wayne) MacAskill, Sydney; Ron (Elaine), Kenloch; Jerry (Phyllis), Sydney; Terrence, Sydney; Blair (Tammy), Halifax, as well as 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Jessie brought inspiration to others through her strong devotion to the Catholic faith.

We her family will forever be reminded to follow the example of her personal actions, values, love, and independence that she demonstrated to family and friends. She was a dedicated member of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Sydney and was a lifelong member of the CWL at her parish. Mom was an accomplished knitter, including mitts, socks, scarfs, dishcloths and afghan's. Her crafts were eagerly awaited and greatly appreciated by family and friends and by many at the “Tea & Sales” she donated to. Her family, especially her children, have been blessed with quilts and table cloths made lovingly by her hand, for all of us to cherish. She loved to share stories about growing up on Mount Young with the many families who lived there at the time. She thoroughly enjoyed hosting numerous visitors to our home, sharing her Cape Breton hospitality over many cups of tea and conversation. As a young girl, she made many lifelong friends with other girls, working at the dockyards in Halifax during the war, serving meals to servicemen who were getting ready to depart overseas.

Visitation for Jessie will take place on Tuesday March 6th from 6-9 pm at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St., Sydney, NS. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday March 7th at 2:30pm at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, Cabot Street, Sydney, with Fr. Bill Burke and Fr. Bernie MacDonald concelebrating. Reception to follow at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. Interment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in Sydney Forks.

The Rankin Family would like to express heartfelt thanks for the care and kindness extended to our mother by Dr. Myatt, Janice Black R.N., Dr. E Mac Mullin and nursing staff at the Wound Care Clinic and the V.O.N. and Palliative Care nurses.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations can be made in Jessie's Memory to the V.O.N., Palliative Care or the SPCA. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com