1921-2019
Mum had an amazing spirit and strength of character that was evident right up until her peaceful passing at home in Halifax, NS on September 2nd, 2019, just ten days before her 98th birthday.
She was much loved by her family and friends and will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, kindness and zest for life.
Born on September 12, 1921 in New Glasgow, NS, she was the only child of Leard Dawson Payzant and Aileen (Dickie) Payzant. She lost her Mother at nine years of age and was close to her aunts, uncles and cousins growing up. Mum adored her father. After her mother died, he devoted his life to raising Mum and gave up many opportunities for advancement at the Bank of Nova Scotia because he thought that New Glasgow was the perfect place to raise his young daughter.
Mum attended high school at Netherwood School for Girls in Rothesay, NB and then went onto study at Dalhousie University (BA) 1942 where she met her future husband, John MacInnes.
Apart from her family and friends, Mum loved her community and gave back through various volunteer activities. She was an active member of the Junior League of Halifax and then a Sustainer, she delivered Meals on Wheels for decades, was a volunteer at the CNIB and a docent for a period at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
Mum enjoyed playing tennis and when she retired at 92, she was presented with a racquet as the “Longest Playing Member of the South End Lawn Tennis Club”! She played a very good game of bridge with the same friends for many, many years, she also enjoyed swimming, was a voracious reader and an excellent cook who loved to entertain. She attended St. Matthew’s United Church regularly well into her nineties.
A favourite summer activity was the annual trip to White Point Beach with her family. She and her father had been the first guests when it opened.
Mum was an extraordinary woman. She was an inspiration to her family in how she lived her life. Mum supported and loved each of us unconditionally and her passing leaves a deep hole in our hearts.
Mum was predeceased by her husband of nearly 50 years, William John MacInnes, her sisters-in-law Anne MacInnes and Marion Gill, and her son, William Leard MacInnes. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara (John David) Wade, Cathy (Bill) Leslie and Christie (Tom Scheibelhut) MacInnes and her fourteen grandchildren, Craig, Christine (Ross Pennise), Sean, Susan, and Steven (Angela) MacInnes; Jonathan (Sarah Purdy), Gregory (Meaghan Hollett) and Jennifer (Will Diamond) Wade; Anne (Chris) McNamara, Rob (Sheilagh Sanders) and Cate (Justin Dick) Leslie; Kirk, Kira (Julien Ross) and Brent Scheibelhut and four great-grandchildren, Ceilidh and Liam MacInnes and Sarah and Henry McNamara, as well as, special nieces Jane (Merrill) Edwards and Virginia O'Connell and their families.
We would like to thank Home Instead caregivers and the VON for their excellent care.
A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, October 26th at St. Matthew’s United Church, Halifax, at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, and if desired, donations can be made to the VON, St. Matthews Church or the CNIB.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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