Jessie was born in Glencoe and was known for her unconditional love for her children and grandchildren. She cherished her family deeply and always ensured her home was welcoming, immaculate, and filled with the aroma of home-baked food.
Jessie leaves behind her beloved children, Derrick, Corry, and Rachelle; her cherished grandchildren, Sarah and Ryan Beaton, Mathew, Lindsay, and Ainslee Connolly, Jessica, Molly, and Ian MacDonald; her dear daughter-in-law, Bernice Beaton; her sons-in-law, Edward Connolly and Hughie MacDonald. Jessie leaves behind her close sister, Annie Mae MacDonald, (the late Donnie MacDonald) who she was in constant contact with and adored.
Jessie was blessed with many brothers and sisters–in law, including Marion MacLeod (John Malcolm), Sandy and Anne Beaton, Alex Angus and Elizabeth Ann MacDonald, Gwennie Beaton (the late Francis Beaton), Joey Beaton, Danny and Mary Graham, Kinnon and Betty Beaton, Carl Beaton, and Joan MacDonald (the late Angus Tulloch MacDonald). Jessie also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jessie was predeceased by her parents, Alex Angus and Katie Ann (Campbell) MacDonald; her son Duane in infancy; brothers, Donald, John Dan (Marion) and Francis; sisters, Mary Cassie MacDonell (Collie), and Mary Ann; brothers-in law, Francis Beaton (Gwennie) and Angus Tulloch MacDonald (Joan); special cousin, Isabelle Campbell; sister-in law Liz Beaton (Sandy).
Mom was a devoted Catholic with a smile for everyone she knew. She could often be found walking her favorite trails in Mabou, baking, tidying up the house, or out in her yard as she loved to be busy and active all the time. She also loved to hear or share a good “clean” joke, always followed by a cheerful laugh!
Mom moved from Glencoe to Mabou to attend and graduate from high school. It is here she met Dad, and they started on a life-long journey together which brought them to Burlington, Ontario and then back to Mabou where they raised our family. Mom worked at Mary’s Hill Home and the small options home next door as a personal care worker. The friendships and personal bonds that she made with the staff and residents at both homes lasted a lifetime, and she always spoke fondly of her time employed there.
Mom’s role as care giver would change in her later years as she would require care herself. She and her family have a special place in their hearts for the loving and caring staff at Parkland / Parkstone Clayton Park where she spent the last four years of her life fighting a tough battle with dementia. As she liked to be busy, & helpful, she could often be found making beds, folding clothes, and keeping the floor clean in any way she could while there!
Mom was predeceased by her husband Angus R. Beaton, who she truly adored, admired, and loved unconditionally. They were happily married for 51 years and treated each other with love and respect and were great role models for their children. They could often be found travelling the roads for a square dance where you would be sure to find them enjoying fiddle tunes with their close friends and siblings, and nieces and nephews who were often performing.
Jessie’s family will be forever grateful to the community of Mabou, and the support that was given to her during the years that followed Angus’ passing. We are especially grateful to our relatives, and all her neighbors, especially Mike and Helena MacDougall who went above and beyond in their support of Mom during her last years in Mabou.
Jessie was a kind and generous woman with a warm smile and beautiful heart. Her warmth, love, and dedication to her family will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
May she rest in peace.
Visitation will be held in St. Mary’s Church Vestry in Mabou on Tuesday, January 7th from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 8th at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Mabou with Rev. Andrew Gillies officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jessie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
