Our beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Mary Effie Fong (nee. MacNeil) originally from Gillis Point, Nova Scotia, sadly passed away on Saturday, July 30th, 2022, at the young age of 74 and joined her parents; John P. and Jessie E. MacNeil of Gillis Point, Nova Scotia to catch one last ceilidh in the sky. She devoted her life to raising her six children while working beside her husband for 43 years to build a successful restaurant (the Maple Leaf Restaurant) in downtown Sydney prior to retiring. Mom could always be found in the kitchen cooking up a batch of stew, climbing a ladder with a paint brush in hand or tending to her many plants.
Mom is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, John, her children; J.J. (Kari), Michael (Tian), Anthony (Cherie), Steven (John), Lee (Ines) and Marissa (Jeff), her grandchildren; Brittany, Brandon, Connar, Candace, Chloe, Skye, her sisters; Pauline MacDonnell, Margie Starr (Joe), her best furry friend, Coco, and many friends and extended family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother-in-law Hugie MacDonnell. Mary, mom, nanny, we will all miss your kind smile, loving heart and most of all your laugh. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Carol Critchley as you showed our mother such compassion throughout her beautiful life especially as she navigated the later years. Also, for making it a little bit easier for her and all of us. A private funeral service under the direction of T.W. Curry Funeral Home will take place on Monday, August 8th where mom will be laid to rest with her parents in Iona, Nova Scotia. The family is welcoming those who would like to celebrate Mary’s life to join them on Monday, August 8th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the St. Columba Parish Centre (2516 St Columba Rd, Iona, NS) not to be sad but to share stories and laughter. In lieu of flowers, donations in mom’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. Memories and condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
