Alexa Eaton MacKay

MACKAY (Wright) Alexa Eaton, age 92, of Halifax, died July 7, 2018, her wedding anniversary. She was a classy lady who loved politics, the Queen, hats, a glass of red wine and a good dessert. Her family and friends will miss her sharp wit. She was born in Belmont, Colchester Co., on April 3, 1926, and was proud of her rural heritage. As a child she “ran the fields of Riversdale,” and attended a one-room schoolhouse. She trained at the Halifax Pathology Lab, taking classes at Dalhousie where she met Andrew, the love of her life, on a blind date. She worked as a lab technician in Halifax and in Ottawa but she gave up her career to be a wife and mother. She volunteered for many years for the IWK Auxiliary. Alexa was the ultimate hostess during the years her husband Andrew was Dean of Law, Vice-President and President of Dalhousie University, and she treasured the years they spent in Ottawa when Andrew served as a judge of the Federal Court of Canada. But her family was her greatest joy. She was the loving mother of Margaret (Bob Shepherd) and adored “Mimi” to Alexandra Archibald, Kate (Matthew) Boyle and David Archibald; step-grandmother of Ona Archibald, step-great-grandmother of Sophia White, all of Halifax; sister-in-law of Mary MacKay, Ottawa, and Edith (Gordon) Haliburton, Wolfville, beloved aunt to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nephews. She was especially close to her niece Jill Hamilton. She was predeceased by Andrew, her loving husband of 58 years, in 2013, her parents Gertrude MacLean and Laurie Wright, siblings Grace Bethel, Truro; Jim Wright, Marriott’s Cove; Margaret Harcus, Edmonton, Alta.; Phyllis MacKay, Hebbville; and Ann Clarke, Truro. Funeral service will be Thursday, July 12, 2 p.m. in St. Andrew's United Church, Halifax. Donations in Alexa's memory may be made to the IWK Health Centre Foundation or to St. Andrew’s United Church. Special thanks to staff and residents of the Berkeley Gladstone.