We the family of Mary Cleophus “Cleo” McMahon sadly announce her passing at the R C MacGillivary Guest Home (CND Centre) on 13 December 2020. Born to Neil J. MacDonald of Sydney Forks and Catherine “Katie” MacPherson of Big Pond on 3 February 1921 in Sydney Forks where she grew up. She lived her adult life in Howie Centre until she began residing at the MacGillivary a year and a half ago.
She along with our dad was one of the founding members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
She is survived by her sisters Kitty (late Johnny) Gillis of Sydney, Theresa (late Allan “Al”) Naugle, of Dartmouth and Sally (late Ronnie) McArthur of Sydney.
She is also survived by her children: Noreen (late Kevin) Rowe, Neil (Marie Keinick) both in Sydney, Cathy (Watson) Andrews in Sydney River, Janine (Terry) Shannon and Margaret Ann (Clifford) Morrison, both in Howie Centre and her grandchildren: Francis, Paul, Gerard Rowe and Cathy (Rowe) Quinn; Patrick and Daniel McMahon; Steven, Jaime and Donald Andrews; Christopher, Jayne, Colleen and Michael Shannon and Elizabeth, Claire and Lynn Morrison. Also survived by twenty-four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews (grand and great-grand).
She was predeceased by her parents. Her father died when she (the second oldest of seven) was fifteen years old leaving her mother alone to raise them - which she did so very well. She was also predeceased by her husband, Harry McMahon (in 1980), her sister, Martha (Jack) Petrie, her brother, John (Marcella “Cella” MacKinnon) MacDonald, her sister, Olive MacDonald and her sister, Mary Cecilia and brother, Michael Hector, both of whom died in infancy and her parents-in-law, Patrick and Ethel (Hines) McMahon, brothers-in-law, Art (Irene) and Fred (Mary) McMahon and sister-in-law, Nora (Gerard) Walsh.
She began working as a telephone operator for the Maritime Telegraph and Telephone Company shortly after graduation from the Holy Angles Convent school. Her transition to the working world was made easier by the fact that her mother had the East Bay Central telephone switchboard which was located in their home. Cleo was an experienced telephone operator before she started high school. She worked for MT&T for over forty-seven years, on and off while raising her children, but steadily for the last twenty-five years until she retired at age sixty-five. Working with MT&T was a large part of her life. To her it was much like a huge family. The company treated the employees well and the employees worked diligently and furthered its interests. Many of her best friends were her co-workers and the relationships endured her retirement. The Telephone Pioneers of America was a big part of her retirement.
She was the matriarch of the family. Until recent years, special occasions were celebrated at her home. She enjoyed mostly having the children and particularly the grandchildren and great-grandchildren visiting with her at home and the more the better; but all friends and relatives were always welcome visitors.
The family could like to thank Dana, Rosetta, Phyllis, Cleta, Delia, Gayle and Cibbs whose care made it possible for her to remain living in her home, something that was very important to her. Also, her family doctor of many years, Dr. Peter Jackson, and more recently (when medical care became a more frequent and significant issue), Dr. John Kirkpatrick, who was kind enough to take her on as a patient after Dr. Jackson’s retirement. Lastly, we would like to thank Jody and her staff of the RC MacGillivary Guest Home who do so well keeping it so much like a real home and making the residents feel at home and well cared for.
There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the direction of TW Curry Parkview Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Sydney River on Friday 18 December 2020 at 11:00 am with Fr. Patrick O’Neill officiating.
Memorials may be made to the MacGillivary Guest Home or other charities of choice.
