Cheryl Kathryn Conrod

Cheryl K.Conrod, MD FRCS (C ), Cape Breton’s first female surgeon, has passed into the next world on February 12, 2022 after a lengthy illness of ALS. Cheryl, born Jan 27, 1963 in Dartmouth, was the daughter of the late Brian and Phyllis Conrod. At the young age of 7 she moved to Cape Breton when her family moved there to teach the Baha’i Faith. She was educated in Sydney at St. Joseph’s Elementary, Sherriff Junior High and Holy Angels high school. After grade eleven Cheryl accepted a scholarship to attend UCCB in 1980 for her first year towards her science degree. Unfortunately, UCCB was not granting science degrees at that time so she did her final years at Dalhousie University. After her science degree in 1983 she attended Dalhousie Medical School graduating with her sister Michelle in 1987. Cheryl did her year of internship at St Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon, and returned to her beloved island of Cape Breton. She worked as a GP and in the ER department for approximately a year. Her profession next took her to the University of Manitoba for studies in OBGYN. In 1993, she once again returned to Cape Breton and started her practice in OBGYN. In 2003, after almost a year working in Bridgewater she returned to practice in Cape Breton. She also did locums throughout Canada in communities of Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Inuvik, Thompson, Moncton, Bathurst, and Campbellton.

In 2018, Cheryl received her 30 year pin from the Province of Nova Scotia. She was known to be a hard working physician and to provide the most thorough and best care for patients entrusted to her. She was kind but did not always sugar coat her findings. She loved running into former patients who she helped with gynecological issues and those with complicated deliveries.

Cheryl was predeceased by her parents, Brian and Phyllis Conrod, Aunts Glenda Nieforth (Alvin), Shirley Theophilus (Ernest), Ethel Hardiman (Ken), Uncle Albert Cook (Doris), as well as first cousins Billy Hardiman, Susan Salzillo and father in-law Frank H.L. MacLean.

Cheryl is survived by her spouse of almost 25 years Scott MacLean and her step son Frank (Jacqueline) and step granddaughter Avery. She is also survived by her siblings Michelle Conrod (Troy Sweet) their children Zachary Sweet (Cassandra) and grandnephew Emery, Amy Sweet (Oliver Lane), Laura Conrod and niece Chelsea Johnson and Sarah Conrod (Robert Harrison) and her beloved brother John. She is also survived by uncle Deryk Conrod (Lorena) their children Andrew, Amanda, Johnathon, Mathew and Christopher. Other surviving cousins are Trevor Nieforth, Sharma Nieforth-Wilhelm, Michael Hardiman, Sally Hardiman-King, Timothy Cook, Danny Cook and Jack Gray. Cheryl is also survived by her mother- in- law Florence MacLean, Uncle Donnie Campbell, sister-in- laws Sandra MacLeod, niece Amy McWhirter (Jay) nephew Terrance MacLeod (Lindsay) grand niece and nephew Callie and Lauchlan, and Susan Jessen (George).

Music was always part of Cheryl whether singing with her family around a campfire or in the Holy Angels choir under Sister Rita Clare. She played in the school band, her musical instrument, the Oboe. Later in life she played both acoustic and electric guitars under instruction of great guitar player and teacher, the late Dave McKeough. She also saw that Frank received guitar lessons. He continues to enjoy both acoustic and electric guitar. It was Cheryl’s idea that Avery receive a gift of a guitar for her fifth birthday to learn from her dad the beauty of music.

The Baha’i faith was most important to Cheryl’s daily life and she served her community for many years as member of the Local Spiritual Assembly and numerous committees. She lived her life with the understanding of the common foundation of all religions, of one common God and all humans are equal in His eyes.

A very happy place for Cheryl was Groves Point Beach where she tried to swim every day during the summer months. Her favorite place was the Cape Breton Highlands while camping in a tent, swimming, boogie boarding and body surfing at Black Brook and Ingonish beach. As a lover of mountain bikes and hiking she traveled many Canadian Trails. Sea kayaking was another water sport that made her happy on the Bras d’Or Lakes, the Mira River and Cape Breton Highlands ocean. Winter saw her downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and even skijoring with her Alaskan Malamute dogs. She liked to travel over the Cabot Trail monthly when possible as it was her favorite drive.

Cheryl was most grateful to her family doctor, Dr. Sue Ritcey, ER Doctors all the Nurses and other Health Care Workers at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, and Specialists who assisted her with living with her illness. She was grateful for the extra years.

Baha’i Funeral arrangements are entrusted to TW. Curry Parkview Chapel with interment later at Oakfield Cemetery where other family members rest. There will be no visitation, graveside service deferred to a later date at time of internment. Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com. Donations can be made to the ALS Society of Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton Cancer Care Fund or your choice of charity