Mary Delores Landrigan

MARY DOLORES (MACNEIL) LANDRIGAN, HALIFAX, 80. Mary passed away peacefully in hospital on January 13, 2012, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on March 23, 1931, to Roderick David MacNeil and Marie Jane MacNeil, Mary attended Holy Angels Convent School, graduating in 1948. She then moved to Halifax and trained at the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1951. It was while working as an operating room nurse that she met her future husband and the love of her life, Dr. Paul Landrigan. They married in Sydney, Nova Scotia, in July 1953, and soon started their family. Mary’s primary focus was her family. Selfless and generous, she supported her husband throughout his education and medical career, as they moved their growing family around Nova Scotia, to Toronto, Ontario, to London, England, and back again. She raised their seven children with energy and enthusiasm. She shared her love and devotion equally among them, and supported and encouraged all in their endeavours. Her strength of character provided a solid moral compass and the requisite direction and encouragement in their personal and professional lives. Mary also took great pride in the next generation of her family. Being a grandmother brought her joy as nanny, nurse, baker, shopper, chauffeur, cheerleader, and care-package maker. All her grandchildren adored their Nana! Mary's love also extended to creatures of the four-legged variety. She provided a haven for numerous abandoned dogs which quickly found a place in her heart and home. Mary's door was always open and there was always an extra place at the table. A wonderful cook, holiday and celebratory meals for a crowd were her specialty. Always ready to listen, she had a knack for making everyone feel as though she had all the time in the world just for them. She was a great storyteller, and loved to exchange the latest news over a good cup of tea.

Mary lived a faith-filled life, and was a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas/Canadian Martyrs Parish. She often cared for newborn infants at the Home of the Good Shepherd. Over the past seven years, Mary faced her life’s greatest challenges. In 2005, she was diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease). During this same period, she suffered with her family in the diagnosis and ultimate loss of a son from cancer. Despite these setbacks, Mary continued to live her life with dignity and grace. Anyone close to her during this time can attest to how courageous she was in coping with this terrible disease and how she continued to appreciate the little things that most of us take for granted. Mary is survived by her husband, Paul; children and children-in-law, Blair (Victoria), Deep River, ON; Gary (Janet) Charlotte, VT; Glenna (John Jenkins) Lunenburg, NS; Mark, Vancouver, BC; Janet, Halifax, NS; and David (Hayley Clarke), Halifax, NS; Daisy, Delta, BC; grandchildren, Jackie, Krista, Nicholas, Morgan, Gordon, Sandy, Hillary, Matthew, Rachel, Martha and Kelly; brother, David (Laurie), Sydney, NS; nephew, Kevin MacNeil (Colleen) Sackville, NS; David MacNeil, Chicago, IL; and nieces, Robyn, Lynn and Krista Dibblee, Montreal, QC. Mary was predeceased by her parents; a son, Robert; a brother, Hugh; sisters Elizabeth and Carmelita, and two sisters in infancy. A wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, she will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. The family would like to thank the many dedicated people who attended to our mother's care during the last seven years; thanks especially to Dr. Timothy Benstead, Dr. Judy Mader, Gloria Crooks, Darlene Forewell, Martha Meschino, Allison Wheaton and the dedicated nurses, doctors and staff of Units 5B and 7A of the Victoria General Hospital. A funeral mass will take place at Canadian Martyrs, Inglis Street, Halifax on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 2:00 with Rev. Owen Connolly officiating. Reception will follow in the Church Hall.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Society, the Bide-Awhile Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice.

To view or place an online message of condolence please visit www.cruikshankshalifaxfuneralhome.com