Howie Center
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Darlene Kathleen Susan MacInnis (Walsh) on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Sydney.
Darlene was originally from Sydney Forks and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Rose Walsh (Peters).
Her calling in life was to take care of everyone she loved. Married at an early age to her beloved husband of 51 years, Darlene gracefully transformed from a teenager to a loving, caring, responsible human being. She was, what we referred to as, “the domestic queen”. John was very blessed as her husband. As a mother to Kevin and Colleen, Darlene was ferociously protective, nurturing and loving. Sacrificing for whatever they needed came easy to Darlene.
In the early years, Darlene followed John to other parts of Canada for his work. Eventually they resided in Big Pond for many years. There she played an active and supportive role as a community member. She adopted the love of the Cape Breton Music and hosted many ceilidhs in what we respectfully named “the apartment”. In 1997, they moved to Howie Center where they resided for the remainder of their life together. Wherever Darlene lived, her door was always open to family, friends and neighbors. The ambiance she created was magically warm and inviting, filled with the delicious smell of freshly baked goods and suppers. The teapot was on continually and her skills as an exceptional home cook served us all very well. She laughed a lot, told stories with descriptive detail, always loved a joke, and lived her life with vigor and passion. Feeding everyone with her delicious food made her happy.
As a grandmother to her adoring grandchildren, Darlene shone the brightest. She earned their love, friendship and respect as did they in return.
Darlene was predeceased by her husband, John William ‘Willie’ in November of 2020 and besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her parents-in-law, Dan Joe and Christie MacInnis (MacIsaac); brother, Tommy; sister, Barbara Williams, and brother-in-law, Philip MacInnis.
Left to mourn and grieve are her son, Kevin; daughter, Colleen (Craig Mills); sister, Faye (Ron Dauphinee); brother, Glen (Debbie Buckles); sisters-in-law, Marie (Malcie MacPhee), Patricia (Kenny Hutchins), Jean (Simon Murray), Bernadette (Johnny MacNeil), and Trese (Jim MacNeil); brothers-in-law, Sheldon (Marlene), Jamie, Father George, and Donald (Chantelle); grandchildren, Riley and Madison MacInnis and Aidan and Rory Mills, who will miss her dearly. Also left to mourn is Lisa Thibodeau (MacNeil), for whom she loved like a daughter. Darlene will also be missed very much by her walking partner, Rose Hutchings.
We find comfort in knowing Darlene was ready to pass over into the arms of her loved ones gone before her, especially John William. Her faith allowed her to surrender to her illness with strength and peacefulness. She passed away at the Palliative Care Unit in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with family members by her side. The family want to thank the kindness and empathy shown by the Palliative Care Team, especially Dr. Burns, Heather Skinner and her special VON nurses. In addition, we would like to extend our greatest appreciation of care and support to Arlene Billard (NP, Oncology and Cancer Unit). We wish to express our very sincere thanks to her guardian angels: Geraldine MacPhee, Arlene MacDonald and Marie MacPhee.
As per Darlene’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service. She will be laid to rest in the Big Pond Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Big Pond Community Firehall.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
“To be loved is to live in someone’s heart forever.”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of MacINNIS Kathleen Susan ‘Darlene’ 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia