Mary Gillis MacNeil

It is with deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Gillis (MacDonald) MacNeil, which took place on May 17th at An Cala, the Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, NS.

She was born in Boisdale to parents Anthony J MacDonald and Mary (Mary Tony) Steele.

Mary married James J MacNeil of Soldiers Cove and they settled in Sydney Forks after a short time living in Montreal. Together they raised three children, son Liam (Susan), Leduc, Alberta; daughters, Melissa and Angela, Sydney Forks.

Also surviving Mary are her brother Michael and sister Sadie, Sydney River, sisters in law Jean MacDonald, Hamilton, Marie Elliot, Montreal, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and members of the Steele, MacDonald and MacNeil families.

Educated in Boisdale and at Iona Federated High School, Mary departed for Normal College NSTC in Truro at 16 and was teaching by 17. She continued studies at Dalhousie in Early Childhood Education. In later years, she returned to UCCB, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Community Studies) and Diploma in Heritage Studies. Mary owed a debt of gratitude to Dr. Richard MacKinnon and the late Dr. Jim St. Clair for the encouragement they provided to her to continue her studies.

Following that, she earned a Masters Degree in Adult Education from Saint Francis Xavier University. She began her career in Boisdale and many of her happiest memories come from this time in her life. Her teaching also brought her to Burlington, Ontario, then back home including time in Chapel Island, Barra Head, Eskasoni and Nyanza.

Her work life allowed her to engage with people on a journey of learning, including: operating her own pre school, providing GED instruction, teaching English to new Canadians, working with the Ann Terry Project, in educational outreach within the Youth Criminal Justice System, with the YMCA Enterprise Centre, along with teaching Academic Upgrading at AVTC, now NSCC.

A woman committed to her faith, besides being a living example of it, she spent several years as a catechist with St Anthony Daniel parish. Her devotion to family was central to her, yet she maintained a strong identity of her own and moved through life with quiet poise and grace.

Her life in Boisdale and her ties to the place and its people shaped who she was. There were stories of the railway, days spent at the shore, and taking on life’s adventures with the Cameron and Morrison families.

Mary G/ Mary Ghee had a love of music that enriched her life, from listening to her mother’s and beloved Granda singing to her in Gaelic, her father’s piping and her mother’s piano playing, a skill Mary also acquired. She also enjoyed singing with Sister Rita Clare in the earliest days of the Cape Breton Chorale.

She had a lifelong relationship with yoga and was inspired by the teachings of the late Ruth Boutilier, whom she considered a mentor and friend.

Besides her parents and husband, Mary was predeceased by brothers Allan and Dan Hughie, sister Annie (all MacDonald) several relatives from the MacNeil and MacDonald/Steele families, and several friends. Special mention to Sisters of St. Martha, Mary Grace MacDonald, Rodriguez Steele and Therese Legere (of the Divine Silence/Franciscans).

A visitation for Mary will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at TW Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George Street, Sydney. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, May 21 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 1452 Kings Road, Sydney River.

To leave a memory, condolence or to view the service, please visit twcurry.com.

Donations may be made to The Hills of Boisdale Association, the CB Hospice/Palliative Care Society, or charity of choice.