Obituary of Leona MacNeil. New Waterford

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our loving mother, Mary Leona (Lathigee) MacNeil, at the age of 87. Mom passed away at the Glace Bay Hospital, August 1, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Main-A-Dieu, February 7, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Rose (Burke) Lathigee.

Leona was a former parishioner of Mt. Carmel Parish, now St. Leonard’s Parish, both in New Waterford. She was a person of great faith and was very active in her community and church as a lecturer and a longtime member and past-president of their CWL. She was also involved in the Retired Teachers Association of New Waterford, Aging Gracefully, The Gaelic Society and was instrumental along with other CWL members in forming a walking club at the Mt. Carmel Gym.

Mom taught in various areas of Cape Breton, including Neils Harbor, Little Lorraine, Bateston, Catalone, Albert Bridge, Miners Memorial and finally BEC; retiring in 1985.

She is survived by her loving children Patricia (Gary) Pozzebon, Anthony (Alana), Maureen (James) Babin, Rosita (late Billy) MacNeil; daughter in-law Wilma; brothers Arnold (Karen) and Fr. Tom ‘retired’. She will also be sadly missed by her grandchildren Mark, Chris (Becky), Jennifer (Trever), Tony (Michelle), Joelle, David, Molly, Jason (Donna); great-grandchildren Emily, Connor, MacKenzie, Gavin, Jacey Lynn, Casey, Hannah, Bryson and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Alex (2001); sisters Rose Marina Brown, Marguerite Lussier, Thelma Tryon, Bernice O’Halloran and sister in-law and brother in-law Mary Margaret and Willie Burton.

Mom suffered from the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease and was cared for in her home by the VON and caregivers until November, 2016, when she became a resident of Victoria Haven Nursing Home, Glace Bay

Visitation will be held Friday, August 4, 2017 from 6-9 pm in V.J.McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford.

The funeral mass officiated by her brother Fr. Tom Lathigee will be celebrated 1 pm, Saturday, August 5, 2017, in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue. New Waterford. A luncheon will follow at St. Leonard’s Church Hall, Convent Street, New Waterford.

Cremation will take place with interment at a later date in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of one’s choice.

Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca