Obituary of Dolena MacKinnon, New Waterford

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beautiful wife, mother, and grandmother, Dolena (MacNeil) MacKinnon on August 26, 2021 at the Maple Hill Manor in New Waterford surrounded by her family after a long battle with dementia. Born in New Waterford on September 24, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Hector and Mary Ann (MacMullin) MacNeil. Family meant everything to Dolena, and her loss will leave a void in our lives that will not be easy to fill. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years Jim, her four children, Cecilia (Harold) Beaton, David MacKinnon, Blair MacKinnon, and Shannon (Bradley) Lever as well as her eight grandchildren, who she adored, Willie, Katie and Holly (Beaton), Joey, Sara and Reiley (Lever) and Blaire and Alexander (MacKinnon). She will also be missed by her fur son, Oreo. Also left to mourn her passing is her sister, Eileen O’Flaherty and brother, Johnny (Jean) MacNeil; sisters-in-law, Louise MacNeil, Finn MacNeil, Joanne Boudreau, Gerry McIntyre and brothers-in-law, David (Gloria) McKinnon, Alex (Noreen) MacKinnon, Angus Beaton and Freddie MacKinnon. She will also be sadly missed by her many nieces and nephews on both the MacNeil and MacKinnon sides. Besides her parents, Dolena was predeceased by her sisters, Agnes (Sonny) Boudreau, Sadie (Arnie) Leudy, and brothers Mickey and Francis (Fikey) MacNeil. She is also predeceased by sisters-in-law, Cecilia Beaton and Iris (Joey) Young and brothers-in-law, Paddy O’Flaherty and Angus McIntyre. Dolena worked as a housekeeper at the Maple Hill Manor for over 20 years, retiring in 2001 and prior to that taught pre-school to many young students in New Waterford. Dolena was always active in her community and contributed her time and energy to many organizations over the years, including; the New Waterford Lions Club, Parish of St Leonard’s CWL, New Waterford Coal Dust Days, New Waterford Gaelic Society, New Waterford Girl Guides, St. Agnes Elementary Breakfast Program, Iona Legion and Diabetes Canada just to name a few. She also enjoyed many social activities, including bowling, darts and of course, bingo! Dolena loved music, and was always up for a live show or was just as content listening to the Saturday Night Kitchen Party while she danced around the kitchen baking; fudge, waffles, biscuits, chocolates or one of her other delicious treats. Dolena loved a good time, and was always ready to host a party (whether Jimmy liked it or not). Whether it was in New Waterford or at their summer home in Iona you could always find an open door, a warm bed and cold drink at Dolena and Jim’s. She was a true matriarch and always made sure that family and friends from away felt welcome when they visited Cape Breton. As a testament to her memory, we will honor her welcoming nature and make sure that her open-door policy is always upheld. Dolena was most at peace when she was at her second home in Iona surrounded by family and friends. Iona was always more then a summer home to Dolena, and we would like to thank the many friends and neighbors that have been so good to her and our family over the years. Our family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to all those who have helped care for Dolena over the last few years. To the staff of New Waterford Homecare and VON, thank you for helping us to keep Mom at home for as long as we could. To the caring nurses and staff of the second floor of the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, thank you for making Dolena’s transition to care so smooth. To the staff of Four North and Seaview Manor in Glace Bay, thank you for the kindness and compassion that you gave our mother. Finally, to everyone at the Maple Hill Manor, you will forever be our angels, you have made these final months so much easier for our family and we will be forever grateful for your kindness and respect. Visitation will occur on Sunday, August 29, 2021 from 6-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass of celebration will take place on Monday, August 30 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Peter McLeod officiating. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, seating is limited. Masks and social distancing are required at both the visitation and funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dolena’s memory can be made to the Maple Hill Manor Resident Fund or the Grandona Legion Branch 124 – Iona. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. “Don’t slam the door!”