It is with great sadness, but also with acknowledgement of a life well-lived, that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear Mom, Kathleen “Kay” Alexandria MacInnis on Thursday, October 8, 2020.
She was born April 6, 1921, in New Waterford, Cape Breton, and was the youngest daughter of Susie Ann (nee Gillis) and Fenwick Milligan Hadley.
Mom was predeceased by her infant brother, Charles; her beloved daughter, Faye (George Walkey); her soulmate and husband for 59 years, Howard; and her dear sister, Margaret Hadley.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Peggy (Gerry Jackman), Halifax/Port Shoreham and Bonnie (Rene Mabon), Winnipeg. Mom was a loving Nanna to five grandchildren, Matthew (Holly) Walkey, Calgary, Meagan (Chris Keam), Calgary and Michel, David (Lauren) and Nicholas Mabon, Winnipeg.
Our mother was proud of her New Waterford roots. We often drove by her childhood home on Wood Avenue and visited her family’s gravesite. She graduated in 1943 from Halifax Children’s Hospital as a Registered Nurse and maintained lifelong friendships with her classmates, Florie, Maxine and Ruby and fellow Sydney nurse, Marg McCulloch. She was a loyal friend, a caring aunt, and sister-in-law. Mom welcomed family and friends, both hers and ours, to her cherished home on Cartier Street in Sydney, and her beloved House on the Hill in Port Shoreham, Guysborough. She had a knack for decorating and kept both homes well-appointed. Mom was a seamstress and kept her daughters in style in our early days, knitted and crocheted many lovely sweaters and throws throughout the years, painted beautiful rocks, and dried flower pictures. She loved to read and enjoyed watching golf and curling on television while cheering on her favorites. Mom loved her dogs from Jiggs, in her childhood, to those she and Dad cared for together over the years. She fed and watched the birds, picked berries and loved nature. Mom was a wonderful baker and was always ready to feed her visitors. She was a passionate gardener and created a lovely Memorial Garden when Faye passed away to honour her memory. Peg shares Mom’s gardening passion and now cares for this special memorial that will stand to honor her, as well. Our mother encouraged us to try everything as children, from horse-back riding to skiing and taught us how to swim, along with many others at MacPherson Lake. Mom was a strong woman with a liberal mind and shared her opinions freely. She and Dad encouraged us to do well in school and to follow our dreams and further education. Mom and Dad showed their daughters what true love was.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home where Mom resided and was cared for the last 11 months, homecare workers that enabled Mom to stay in her Sydney home until her 98th year, Kathy Gale for her special friendship, Aunt Iva for her companionship, handyman, John Trites, and our many wonderful neighbours over the years, as well as family and friends.
Funeral service will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 4 p.m. Interment will take place in Eastmount Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made in Kay’s honour to the Victorian Order of Nurses, Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County or the Guysborough Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family atwww.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or email sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kathleen Kay Alexandria MacInnis 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia