Mary Catherine Beaton

Mary Catherine (nee Gillis, “The Blacksmith” Beaton - 71, of Antigonish, passed away suddenly on June 25th, 2013, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish. Born on July 28, 1941, in Inverness, to the late Peter and Catherine (MacKinnon) Gillis, she was the eldest of eight children. Married on her 23rd birthday to A. Lawrence Beaton, they began married life in Watertown, Mass., eventually returned to Cape Breton, a place she loved dearly, to live in Port Hood. She eventually returned to Massachusetts to live there for over 25 years, returning to her native Nova Scotia for remaining years of her life. Mary’s whit and warm heart endeared her to all whom she met, but most of all to her three children, Gail (Peter) Mackay, of Antigonish; Curtis (Antoinette) Beaton, Waltham, Mass; and Christopher (Melanie) Beaton, Bedford, Mass., who loved her most dearly. Mary attended Captain Allen’s School in South West Margaree. She graduated as a Home Health Aide and provided nursing care and comfort in nursing and private homes. Mary took great pride in serving others with loving care, respect and a good dose of whit and laughter. Mary had four grandchildren, Amanda, Alex, Alyssa, and Audrey, whom she remembered with pride and joy. Mary loved nature, most especially the spruce trees and wild flowers that grew in Cape Breton, her cabin on the hill, the winding Margaree River and every bird whose song crossed her ears. Mary was a consummate wife and mother to the end, always putting her family and God first in her life. She will be deeply missed for her warmth, her humor and her unrelenting love.

Mary is survived by her siblings, Lorraine Jones Waltham, Mass.; Donald (Florence) Gillis, South West Margaree; Ann Maillet , Newton, Mass.; Jimmy Gillis Spring Brook, Alta.; Sandra (Angus) MacEachern, Inverness; and Maragret Maillet, Waltham Mass.; and was predeceased by her sister, Caroline Gillis (Waltham, Mass.) and her nephew, Roger Gillis. Mary is also survived by over forty nieces and nephews who loved her spirited personality and will be remembered fondly by all. Visitation will be held in Inverness Funeral Home on Friday, June 28 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church, South West Margaree with Fr. Doug MacDonald and Fr. Danny MacLennan officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery Fund, South West Margaree or to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.

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