Irene Isobel MacLeod
1960-2020
It is with great sadness we announce the death of Irene
(MacKay) MacLeod of Antigonish, NS. Irene passed away on Thursday,
December 10, 2020 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital,
Antigonish, at 60 years of age.
Born in Schefferville, Quebec, she was the beloved daughter
of Susan (Morrison) and the late William MacKay of
Sydney.
Devoted wife to Brian and loving mother to William, Brian
Douglas (Catherine), Sheumais (Taylor), and Jermal (Myrie).
Cherished sister of Roderick, Melanie (Ron) Legace, Douglas (Michele),
Gregory (Sherry), Laura Ley (Joe) MacInnis, Kelvin (Barb), and Alana
(Ed) MacLean. Sister-in-law to Rev. Bill (Joyce) MacLeod and Sandy
MacLeod (Marilyn).
Irene was a force of unconditional love, energy, and
kindness. She was a strong, accomplished woman with a life-long
passion for helping and guiding others. Nobody ever had to wonder what
Irene thought – she told you. With disarming honesty came a
relentless push to make all around her better. She was a tireless
community volunteer, a generous donor, a business partner, and leader
of many community causes. More important to Irene, was her good
fortune to be able to discreetly help people she barely knew when she
saw a need. Irene travelled extensively and read voraciously always
with a mind towards learning. She could tell a story or describe a
situation with a level of detail that brought the listener in. Often,
the stories would end with huge laughter, but they were rarely jokes
just stories told by an insightful observer of people.
It was those insights and intuition that made Irene a
formidable political strategist and organizer. In 1986, she was
elected National President of PC Youth when many told her she
didn’t have a chance. This foray into politics led to many
political roles as campaign manager for provincial and federal
candidates. Like all who knew her, the winning politicians heard
Irene’s views whether they wanted to or not. Her commitment
to serving her community was unmatched. She volunteered for the Family
and Child Welfare Board, Antigonish Highland Society, Antigonish Area
Partnership, Autism Nova Scotia, L’Arche Antigonish,
Festival Antigonish, Antigonish Women’s Resource Center,
Naomi Society and the Heat Poverty Action Coalition the Strait Area
Early Childhood Intervention Society and St. James United
Church.
Irene’s efforts were recognized provincially and
nationally when she was awarded the Progress Club’s Women of
Excellence Award, Sobey’s Green Jacket for Advocacy for
Autism, and achieved the highest rank for a female officer in cadets.
Later she served on the Board of Directors of the Royal Military
College.
Along with her many contributions to her community, Irene was
a gracious host and accomplished cook who shared her love of food with
guests and in response to community needs. Quietly, Irene and Brian
built the MacLeod Group into one of the rural Maritimes largest
nursing home operations with over 600 residents in care and 1000
employees.
We ask that you celebrate your love for Irene in your own
special way.
Visitation will be held Monday, December 14, in C.L. Curry
Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish from
6:00-8:00pm. Social distancing protocols must be followed,
and masks are mandatory. A private family funeral will be held at St.
James United Church, Antigonish, with Reverend Peter Smith
presiding. The service will be recorded and available on the
funeral home’s website Tuesday evening.
In Memoriam, donations to the St. James Hot Meal Program or
St. James Benevolent Fund appreciated. Online
condolences: www.clcurry.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Irene Isobel MacLeod 19602020..
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia