Mary Sarah MacKinnon MacNeil

92 – Shenacadie

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Sarah MacNeil of Shenacadie on July 1, 2015 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Born July 10, 1922 in Shenacadie, she was the daughter of the late John R. MacKinnon (Station Agent) and Catherine (MacNeil) MacKinnon.

Having lost both of her parents by the age of 15, she left school to raise her siblings and run the train station. Eventually, she married John Murdock MacNeil of Rear Big Beach and then went on to have a family of six children. Sadly, she was widowed in 1965, leaving her to raise the children alone. Fortunately, she was a woman of immense strength. She was the family matriarch.

She is survived by her children: Gerald (Heather), Linda, Irene, Maureen (Everett) Sullivan and Anita. She is survived by 8 grandchildren; Melissa, John, Jessica, Karen, Colin, Jennifer, Mark and Geoff, as well as 7 great grandchildren. She is survived by her only remaining sibling, her sister Theresa MacIntosh and a daughter-in-law, Kim as well as her sisters-in-law Marie (Late Stephen) MacKinnon and Audrey (Late Joe) MacKinnon as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, John Murdock in 1965, her son John Roderick (Jackie) in 1993, and infant granddaughter and her brothers and sisters, Stephen, Joe, Francie and Kathleen ‘Kay’.

She will also be missed by her 3 cats Tigie, Betsy and Puss.

Visitation for the late Mary Sarah MacNeil will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2015 from 9 to 11 am at St. Barra’s Church, Christmas Island. Funeral mass will follow at 11 am with Rev. Joe A. MacNeil officiating. Interment will take place at St. Barra’s Parish Cemetery, Christmas Island.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com