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Catherine “Kaye” MacMillan
June 8, 1928 – May 22, 2025
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Our Mom, Catherine MacMillan, or Kaye, or Cathy or Nanny was born on June 8 th , 1928. Her
Mom, Annie Fortune, from Judique, was a Cape Breton girl, who went down the road for work
and adventure. Annie met and married Jack Semmens, the Captain of the mines in Kirkland
Lake Ontario and that is where Mom was born.
Mom was the big sister to Mary, Terry, Micky and Jackie. Her Dad was not thrilled to have five
girls, and they did not have a happy family. Our Gram Annie (Gramannie) did her best, but it was Mom, who
was an old soul from the start, who cared for and sheltered her younger sisters from their
volatile family life. They were in and out of orphanages and foster homes, but Mom was always
the rock for her sisters throughout their difficult childhood. As the years went on Mom’s great
love and caring was a constant for her mom, her sisters and all her nieces and nephews. She
watched over and loved family members wherever they were. Despite how harsh life was for
Mom as a child, she was always able to choose love, forgiveness and humor over bitterness, an
awesome display of strength and resilience.
A dance in the Judique Hall and a broken shoe strap started a romance and love that never
ended. Collie MacMillan was a wise choice, but Mom always said it was his good looks and
good dancing that won her over. She also said he was great to neck with. She fell in love with a
good, good man, a partner she could depend on no matter what life threw at them. They didn’t
have much money but together they had many children. After years of moving back and forth
across Canada for work, they settled in Cape Breton. Wherever they landed, Mom insisted on
indoor plumbing. While Dad was renovating every house, Mom fed all the friends and relatives
who dropped by for meals and tea.
They were great neighbours and enjoyed years of bowling and cardplaying with friends. Our
home was always a place of welcome, with great food and lots of wonderful baking. Mom made
up for all the Christmases she never had by making sure our Christmases were magical. She
loved Christmas and didn’t mind spending money she never had so that Dad could keep
working.
Mom had the great gift of being genuinely interested in everyone of all ages, including our
friends and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She could relate with and be
friends with everyone and had an abundance of compassion and humour. Oh, how she loved
stories and the laughter and love that surrounded the best stories. Mom was much wiser than
she gave herself credit for. She was an avid reader and blessed with many artistic talents, some
on display and many unfulfilled. Her strength in writing was exceptional and we wish she had
written so much more.
Mom’s idea of exercise was a walk through the mall with more chatting and visiting than
walking, but she was blessed with a long, long life. Mom and Dad had seven children: Wayne
(Theresa), Gary (Anne), Jack, Walter (Donna), Anne (Tom), Tony (died at birth) and Mary
(Graham). She enjoyed and adored her 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. As she
moves on, she leaves behind so many people who loved and admired her. She will be greatly
missed by all her family and friends and so many people who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Like all of us, Mom had many questions about the church, heaven and what comes next. Will
she be with Dad and all her loved ones? Mom lived such a good life full of forgiveness and love.
We trust that she is now at peace and surrounded by a wonderful love.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 7-9pm on Sunday May 25, 2025 at Green’s Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday May 26, 2025 at 10am from St. Joseph’s Parish, Port Hawkesbury; Rev. Joby Augustin, officiating. Interment will take place at 2:00pm at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Port Hood. Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
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SERVICES
Visitation
Sunday, May 25, 2025
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Green’s Funeral Home
507 Bernard Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2V2
Funeral Mass
Monday, May 26, 2025
10:00 AM
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church
138 Granville Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A2G1
Graveside Service
Monday, May 26, 2025
2:00 PM
St. Peter’s Cemetery, Port Hood
283 Main Street
Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
June 8 1928 May 22 2025
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Catherine Kaye MacMillan June 8 1928 May 22 2025
obituaries notice Catherine Kaye MacMillan June 8 1928 May 22 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Catherine Kaye MacMillan June 8 1928 May 22 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
