Obituary of Sheila Delores MacInnis, River Ryan

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of Sheila Delores MacInnis (Pembroke) on June 24, 2022, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital at the age of 84. Mom grew up in Scotchtown, NS and later lived in New Waterford and River Ryan.

She is survived by her son Bradley (Maureen) MacInnis and daughter Corinne (Bill) Roach along with six grandchildren, Jim (Tracy), Eileen (Keith), Jessica, David, Corson, and Carlee and great-grandson James. She is also survived by siblings Helen (Bill) Walsh, Ada (Frank) Kindree, Anna Nemis, Lily Moseychuk, and Michael Pembroke, along with many dear nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Patrick & Ada (Ryan) Pembroke, husband Jim MacInnis and siblings, Douglas (Dottie) Pembroke, Rita (Henrick) Klinge, Marie (Reg) Pendlebury, Eileen (Art) MacLean, Theresa (John) Romard as well as brothers and sisters-in-law Curt Dearing, Malkie Nemis, Steve Moseychuk, and Elaine, Rita, and Donna Pembroke.

Mom trained as an RN at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Glace Bay. Early in her career she worked at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and then took a hiatus from work to spend more time with her family. She later returned to nursing at the Maple Hill Manor where she worked until retirement. The residents enjoyed Mom’s friendly and outgoing personality as well as the occasional step-dancing routine. Mom remained close to her nursing classmates, attending many reunions over the years, and traveling to Ireland and Scotland with them.

Mom was a talented seamstress, sewing many costumes and outfits for us as children. Later, as a proud grandmother, she and Dad spent many hours making a quilt for each of her six grandchildren. She also tried her hand at painting and was known for her baking – particularly her Christmas meat pies and her well-fortified fruit cake. Mom loved music and dancing and took guitar, violin, and dancing lessons over the years. Above all, Mom loved to tell a good joke and was in her element when she could be together with family and friends, always having a good story to tell. She loved to make people laugh. Mom had a very positive outlook on life and one of her favourite sayings was “we’re here for a good time, not a long time”. She remained a vibrant and active lady until her last days. She had a strong faith and was an active member of her church and community over the years and a longstanding member of the church choir.

Mom had a wide circle of friends, and they were known to have many enjoyable gatherings over the years, whether for a theme party or just sitting around the backyard pool on a summer evening enjoying a cold beverage (the preferred of late being a glass of Pinot Grigio). Mom remained very close to all her beloved sisters and brothers, here at home and traveled to Ontario, Tennessee, and Norway to share in their special life events. When the Pembroke siblings got together, many stories and songs were shared. Mom was also forever proud of her four-legged granddaughter “Annie” and was often seen walking with her at the local park in River Ryan.

Mom will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend. Mom, our lives have been so enriched to have your beautiful presence with us for so many years. We will miss you dearly, but our cherished memories will remain with us forever and we are comforted to know that you will be reunited with Dad, your favourite dance partner.

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street New Waterford where visitation will be held on Wednesday, from 5-8 pm and a funeral mass will be held Thursday at 10 am at St. Leonard’s Parish, with close family friend Fr. Bill Stephenson presiding. Burial to follow at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sheila’s memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in New Waterford.

Special thanks to the medical staff at the ER and Palliative Care units at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.vjmcgillivray.ca