With sadness we announce the death of Patricia Louise (MacDonald) McNeil, 86, of Howie Center, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at the Northside Community Guest Home in North Sydney, where she succumbed to the relentless advance of Alzheimer Disease.
Born in Charlottetown, PE, on March 17, 1936, Pat was the only daughter of the late Jack and Hilda (Malone) MacDonald. She was predeceased by brothers, Cyril (Geraldine) and Allan MacDonald.
Pat is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert G. McNeil, Howie Center; five children, Ian, Sydney, Janice (Jeff) Knapp, Port Williams, NS, Bruce (Kim Laybourne), Nelson, BC, Lorna (Robert Carroll), Grande Prairie, AB and Peter (Denise), Lower Sackville, NS; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brothers, Paul (Mary) MacDonald, Calgary, AB and David (Naida) MacDonald, Calgary, AB; and many cherished nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Trained at the Charlottetown Hospital School of Nursing (Class of ‘57), her nursing career spanned two distinct phases: before her children were born and after they completed high school. She extended compassionate care to patients in four provinces in a range of settings: hospitals, long term care and mental health facilities. Her gifts were returned in kind by fellow nurses, CCA’s, doctors and other caregivers (Home Instead, Continuing Care) who supported her at home, the Cape Breton Regional and Glace Bay Hospitals and the Northside Community Guest Home.
Her greatest care was given to her family as it moved many times throughout Atlantic Canada. She made and warmed new homes just as she made and nourished long-time friendships in every community in which she lived. She was the person who sent cards every season and expressed gratitude in handwritten notes. A gifted host and decorator, her welcomes were warm and she thrived in the company of friends and family. With inherent taste she wore bright colours stylishly. Her sense of fun and love of music (playing piano by ear), dancing, conversation and stories put all at ease in her company. She was easy to love and loved easily.
Pat’s affiliations sustained her need to give generously to others, among them the IODE, Retired Nurses of Cape Breton and a host of chapters of the CWL.
Upon retirement, she and Bob returned to Cape Breton, where she remained grateful for the warm welcome extended to them at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Parish in Sydney River.
Visitation is set for Thursday, June 2 from 4-7 p.m., at Sydney Memorial Chapel, 49 Welton Street. Her funeral takes place at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Friday, June 3 at 2 p.m. with Rev. James Oliver officiating. The funeral can be viewed online by visiting the Sydney Memorial Chapel FaceBook page.
Memorials in her name may be made to the charity of your choice. No flowers, please.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Patricia Louise McNeil R N 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia