Sydney
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Josephine (Josie) Kyte. Josie passed away November 5, 2018 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Sydney on May 31, 1944, she was the daughter of the late John Rory and Jemina ‘Mina’ Nash of Iona and Washabuck. Although born in Sydney, she spent many formative years in Iona and St. Columba. Josie loved the country and its people and regularly recounted many happy times spent there during her youth and beyond. Her grandparents’ home in St. Columba now forms part of the MacIver-Nash house at the Highland Village in Iona.
Josie was active in her community and was involved in many organizations through the years. She was a member and past president of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) and served on Regional Parish Council. She also taught catechism for many years from which she derived great joy. Josie was a trustee of the former Lakevale School and worked with Parents for Quality Education to save the school. She canvassed for the Heart Fund yearly and was a custodian for Block Parents. Josie was also a Girl Guide Leader and member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Grand Lake Road Fire Department. She worked for Sydney Credit Union and Scotiabank for many years.
She loved the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with her family, going for drives and having picnic lunches, working in her garden, and making tea biscuits for others. Her children brought her great joy and she always viewed them as the greatest gift. Josie loved music and frequently played guitar at home. When her children were young she often sang ‘you are my sunshine’ to them - a memory that will always be cherished. In the past number of years she took Gaelic lessons and became a proficient speaker. Learning to speak Gaelic was always an important goal and connected her with her past.
Josie is survived by her loving husband of nearly 51 years, William (Bill) Kyte, daughter Darlene, and son Darrell (Sarah Drodge), sisters Jean Petrie and Rachel (Kenny) Bourget, sister-in-law Florence (Adrian) Dixon, brothers-in-law Harold (Colleen) Kyte and Kevin (Lynn) Kyte, Tony Petrie, and Clarence MacDonald. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews including Jean (Alan) Stanwick, Janice (Mike Lane) MacDonald, Laura (Dave) Currie, Christopher Petrie, Kelly Bourget, Shane (Kim) and Devon Dixon, Cherie and Shelly Kyte, Susan (Josh) Chan, and Andrew (Robyn) and Jeffery Kyte, as well as many grand nephews and nieces, whom she deeply adored.
Besides her parents she is predeceased by her son John William, nephew Shaun Bourget, sister Sally MacDonald and special aunt who was like a sister, Agnes Nash (CND).
Josie was truly a selfless person more concerned with the welfare of others than herself. She forged deep and meaningful relationships wherever she went and touched many people with her kindness and empathy; a beautiful spirit lost, she will be forever missed. Tha gaol agam ort, momma.
Gum bi sibh daonnan
beannaichte
Le diòn bho 'n uile gaoth
Fasgadh bho'n t-sileadh
Cupa ti blath taobh an teine
Gàire g'ur sòalsachadh
Luchd-gaoil faisg oirbh
Agus gach ni a dh'iarradh 'ur
cridhe
Deep thanks to An Cala staff for taking special care of Josie.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will take place Friday November 9th at 11am at St. Theresa’s Church with Fathers Lamey and MacDow officiating. A reception to follow at the church hall.
Donations may be made to Hospice Cape Breton or charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com
