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Obituary
SARAH JANE FINLAYSON – Sydney Mines
August 30, 1944 – December 22, 2022
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother Sarah Jane Finlayson, age 78. Daughter of the late Bob and Mae MacDonald.
Also known as Jane, Aunt Janie, and Granny.
Our mother was the fourth born in a family of sixteen children. It was the nature of this large family that shaped the beautiful and passionate woman she became. Generous with her time and her love. Kind and gentle in her approach to those she loved. She shared stories of her mother step dancing in the kitchen, fiddle playing, big family meals and helping care for younger siblings. “We did not have much, but we had each other, there was lots of love there” she would say.
In our family home, she created a space of unconditional love. One of warmth and ease. If anyone wanted to take a run down to Janie’s for a cup of tea, there was no need to call ahead. Always a seat at the kitchen table and always time for a chat. Her bottomless energy for love spilled from her whole being. She was radiant in her love and care for her own four children; Colleen, Walter, Paula, and Tania. Her limitless love shared with her late husband, Tommy, and grandchildren: Justine, Abbe, Samuel T. and Lucy. She never tired of praising and reveling in their growth and accomplishments. She travelled “West” and to Victoria whenever she was able for extended visits with all her grandchildren. She and Justine had many memorable travel adventures of laughs and exploration to Seattle and Kelowna. Mom also enjoyed multiple family excursions to Mexico.
She had passion and was passionate about, well, pretty much everything! In particular; outdoor activities. Gardening invigorated her, whether tending to her beautiful flowers, vegetables, or lawn mowing, she was always happy and anxious to share “what a wonderful day” she had and how energized she felt being outdoors. She lived most of her days fully and never lost her lust and childlike ways for wonder and curiosity. A camera always in hand to capture that perfect sunset sky, bird, flower, butterfly, or fresh snowfall. The phone would start to ring at home by 9 am and it was inevitably one of her sisters /BFFs: Marjorie, Angie, or Mary planning for their daily adventure. A beach walk, glass picking, hike to Round Lake, or a day of lounging and swimming at “The Point”. If the weather did not allow, a little stop for coffee, wave-watching, or a shopping trip would be in order. She loved to visit Ingonish and Inverness, particularly in summer months, for beach days and evening campfires, Uisge Ban Falls was one of her favorite Fall hikes. Mom would be the first at the waters’ edge after a windstorm to take in the sight and sound of the massive surf created. Long drives with our father, Tommy, along country roads; just the two of them, taking in the scenery as it flowed past. You name it, any season, she found beauty in everything, day or night, versed in astronomy, she loved admiring constellations, planets and the Milky Way.
Never one to shy from a good debate about current events, climate change, politics or religion. She was an avid listener of CBC radio and a follower on Twitter. She remained up-to-date with current events. She watched anything relative to both world wars. Passionate about history, she was the best teammate playing Trivia. She was well-read and devoured books about anything history, economics, evolution, and humanity. Our Mom had a gift for conversation and could find commonality to chat with anyone. No subject was off the table. In fact, most often on the table was Mom’s finger knocking to the beat of each syllable as she spoke, “Look, I’m telling you right now…” These debates could become quite lively and animated but always remained good-hearted in spirit.
She was employed for many years at Leonard’s and Nickerson’s fish plant and served as Union President of their Local. She developed many friendships at work and advocated for women’s equality.
Our hearts will forever be left with a gap for the loss of our lion-hearted Mother. Our hearts will forever remain full of gratitude for such a beautiful, passionate, dynamic, and loving soul.
Jane is survived by her children: Colleen (Gary), Walter, Paula (Basil), Tania (Sean). Her grandchildren: Justine, Abbe, Sam T., and Lucy. Also left to mourn are her siblings: Robert (Mia), Majorie, Walter (Lynn), Alounda, Danny (Marjorie), Angela (Jimmy), Peter, Gerard (Debbie), Mary (Larry), Donnie (Shirley), Alan (Nancy), Paulie (Francie), Michael (Theresa), aunt Mary MacDonald, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wallina (Darryl) Burton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Our Mother was predeceased by Thomas, her loving husband of 44 years, granddaughter Ava Jane (in infancy). Her parents Bob and Mae MacDonald, sister Nora and brother John. Her mother-in-law Veronica Finlayson and her father-in-law Ray Dillman. Sister-in-Law, Carol Brown. Aunts and Uncles: Simon (Cassie) MacKinnon, Alan” Boucher” , Alec Dan, Alec Beck, John Dan (Nora) Jobes, Florence Bonner, Margaret (Paul) MacEachern, Marcella Buchannan. Beatrice Fraser, Walter, Stanley, Donnie, Kelly and Andy MacDonald, Aunt Ella. Brother-in-law Leo MacKinnon, nieces: Kimberly Young, Corrina Jessome, Leah MacKinnon-MacInnes, and Melissa MacDonald. Nephews, Nicholas Withers, and Zachary MacDonald.
Thank you to: Louise and Dr. McKeough. A special thank you to neighbors from Ocean Street for their willingness to lend a hand to Mom.
Celebration of Life to be held on Monday, January 2, 2023 with visitation from 2 – 4 pm.
To honor Jane in your memories, enjoy a long beach walk, hike, or gaze into a starlit sky.
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August 30 1944 December 22 2022 78 Years Old
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Sarah Jane MacDonald Finlayson August 30 1944 December 22 2022 78 Years Old et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia