August 26, 1931 – October 24, 2024
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, Mary Frances MacDonnell’s life journey ended. Frances, as we knew her, passed away in Inverary Manor, Inverness where she came to know and love all the health workers that surrounded her. The same can be said of the many caregivers at the Inverness Hospital where she was a patient for some time before entering the Manor in December of 2023.
Frances was the eldest child of the late Willie and Marie (MacIsaac) MacDonald of Port Hood. Her young life was spent in Port Hood on the Company Road. After leaving home, she found work in Michigan, and then resided in numerous towns and cities across Canada with her husband, Alex Duncan, a miner, whom she married in 1955. The young couple decided to make their home in Vancouver, B.C., where they lived for many years. Together they raised one son, Bill, who still resides there.
Frances worked in the dietary department in a Vancouver Hospital until the call from Cape Breton lured her and Alex Duncan back to Mabou, his place of birth, to enjoy their retirement years. They built a beautiful home and when Alex passed away in 2014, Frances moved back to the Company Road in Port Hood where she had spent the early part of her 93 years. Poor vision and other health issues brought her to hospitalization and then to the Inverary Manor where she passed away.
Predeceasing Frances in death were two sisters and their husbands, Mary (Donnie) MacEachern and Rita (Roddie) MacDonnell as well as two brothers, Donald, and Howard.
She leaves behind her son, Bill, and his wife, Monica, along with two cherished grandchildren Karmyn and Kyra. Frances is survived by her siblings, Bernadette (Jerry d.) Montague, Dundas, Ontario, Anne (John Francis d.) Beaton, Windsor, Ontario; Carmelita (John Angus) Gillis, Port Hood; Gerald (Judy) MacDonald, Port Hood; Rosie (Sandy d.) Beaton, Mabou; Georgie (Alex Dan d.), Port Hood; Cecil (Mary Janet) MacDonald, Lloyd (Helen) MacDonald, and sister-in-law Yvonne MacDonald (Howard d.), all of Port Hood. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who she loved very much.
A special thank you to Frances’ sister Rosie, who tended to her every need over the last few years up until her peaceful and painless death.
Frances shared her love and sharp wit with all who met and knew her. Her poor vision did not interfere with her commenting on your attire, your hair, and even your weight! That was Frances!
Visitation for Frances, a devout Catholic, will take place in the vestry of St. Mary’s Church, Mabou, from 3-7pm on Wednesday, November 13th, with Funeral Mass at 11 am on Thursday, November 14th. Following the burial, family and friends will gather at the parish hall for tea, conversation, and reminiscing.
Donations in Frances’ memory can be made to the Inverary Manor, Inverness, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, or to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
Frances, you will be dearly missed.
