Jean MacDonald MacPherson

MacPHERSON, (Andrews) Jean MacDonald

September 10, 1927 – May 4, 2025

Jean passed away on May 4, 2025 at the QE II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. The youngest of nine children she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Jean is survived by her son John (Sherry), Halifax and daughter Sara (Winnipeg), grand daughters Ansley MacPherson (Michael), Halifax and Valerie Joy (Matthew), Halifax and great grandchildren Lyla, Liam, Andrew and Benjamin. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in whose lives she took a keen interest.

Jean was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Clinton MacPherson, as well as her parents, John and Sarah (MacDonald) Andrews, sisters Mary Bagnell, Charlotte Andrews, Ethel Campbell, Florence MacIntosh and brothers Herbert, Wilfred, Roderick and Kenneth. She was also predeceased by her son in law Wayne Neuman and her nephews Kenneth Bagnell and Wilfred Campbell.

Jean lived most of her life on Andrews Lane, Port Morien, surrounded by her parents and siblings. She lived a full life which stretched from dirt roads and no electricity to her enthusiastic embrace of technology such as Facebook. She had an approach to life which was relentlessly forward looking.

She received her early education in Port Morien before going to high school in Glace Bay, travelling home on the weekends by a train everyone called the “Hobo”. Her working career started in the dry goods department of the Eaton’s Department store where she developed her love of fashion, particularly shoes. On her shopping trips to The Bay or Maine, she always enjoyed finding “something a little different” to wear, often to the chagrin of her children and granddaughters. It was also at Eatons that she developed many friendships that endured throughout the years.

Her working career also saw Jean work in the “order office” for both Eatons and Simpson’s in Glace Bay. She would joke that by Christmas Eve she knew what everyone in Glace Bay was getting for Christmas.

Jean was involved in her church and community. A life long member of St. John’s United Church she was actively involved with the United Church Women’s organization. She also supported the efforts of the Legion and fire department in Port Morien. She took a keen interest in politics and spent many hours working for her preferred candidates. That interest continued to the very end as she fell ill while casting her final vote in the recent federal election.

Jean was a woman of many skills and talents. Her cooking and baking were legendary and she always had a “little treat” and cup of tea ready when her children and grandchildren came home to visit, no matter what hour they arrived. Later in life she took up rug hooking, making lovely pieces but, more importantly, enjoying the company of the other “hookers” at their weekly get togethers.

Jean enjoyed exploring whether it was a drive on the back roads of Cape Breton, an Alaskan cruise with her much loved husband Clinton, a trip to Spain with Sara or a Caribbean cruise with the entire family including her grandchildren. She also enjoyed “eating out” with a good order of ribs or a “festive feast” at Swiss Chalet.

She was fiercely independent which allowed her to live in her own home until her mid-90’s. Then she made a major move to live in Halifax at the Berkeley Gladstone. Her two and a half years there were filled with constant activities, friendships and happiness. She was especially pleased to have appeared in several ads for the Berkeley. The move allowed her to visit more frequently with her granddaughters and great grandchildren who she adored.

During her life, Jean faced several significant health challenges which she approached with courage and determination. The excellent health care she received, particularly from Dr. Jonathan Trites, enabled her to live a full and active life up to the end.

A funeral will be held at St.John’s United Church, Port Morien on May 31 at 2 pm with a reception to follow at the Port Morien Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice.