Rankin, Bernetta Mary Rose (O'Brien) of Mabou and as of late, Antigonish, passed away peacefully in her home in Antigonish on Feb. 2, 2023, surrounded by family. Born in Cross River, Prince Edward Island on Feb. 16, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Herbert and Mary O'Brien. She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, St. Mary's, Mabou and St. Ninian’s, Antigonish. She was a lifetime member of the CWL and spent her life caring for others in all aspects of life. Her large family was a testament to her devotion to a strong faith in God and the value of life.
She was predeceased by her husband, John Archie; two sons, Emmett and Mark; daughter-in-law, Valerie and her great-granddaughter, Halle Jane. She was also predeceased by her parents, Herb and Mary (Gavin) O'Brien; brothers, Camillus (Theresa), Zeno (Marie), and Gerard (Lois); sisters, Sister Rita O'Brien CSJ St. Paul, Minnesota, and Sister Theresa O' Brien CSJ St. Paul, Minnesota.
She is survived by her daughters, Katrena (Archie MacLean), Port Hood, Clare (Larry MacEachern) Mabou, Monica (Greg MacDougall) Antigonish, Mary (Trevor MacDonald) Port Hood, Rita (Lowell MacDonald) Port Hawkesbury, Joanne (Jamie MacIntyre) Mabou; sons, Jude (Linda) Mabou, John Philip (Anne) Mabou, Peter (Brenda) Mabou, John Benedict (Lila) Mabou, Leonard (Helena) Port Hood, Stephen (Sherri) Mabou, Norman (Melinda) Australia; fifty-six grandchildren and thirty-seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her last remaining sibling, Sister Mary O'Brien CSJ St. Paul Minnesota as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held in St. Mary's Church, Mabou on Thursday February 9th from 7-9 pm and Friday, February 10th from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass to be held on Saturday, February 11th at 11:00 am., with Fr. Dan MacDonald officiating. Burial to be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the St. Mary's Parish Building Fund, Mabou and/or Respect for Life, Antigonish.
A special thank you to all who were so generous with their prayers, love, and concern for Bernetta in her last months and days. Thank you to her doctors and to Palliative Care, St. Martha's, for providing the necessary comforts required for at-home care.
On-line condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
A Gaelic Prayer
A Chridhe gun Smal Moire,
guidh air ar son-ne
a-nis agus aig uair ar bàis.
Amen.
