Obituary of Judith 'Agnes' MacLellan, New Waterford

The family regrets to announce the death of Agnes MacLellan, age 64, of New Waterford. She died peacefully with family by her side in the early hours of February 23, 2023 at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, where she worked for 31 years as an RN. She lived well with breast cancer for almost 12 years, overcoming every roadblock along the way, until the disease took its final toll.

Agnes was born on March 3, 1958 in New Waterford, the youngest child of the late Joe and Mary (MacIntyre) MacLellan. She attended Saint Agnes Elementary School and graduated from Breton Education Centre in 1976. She studied nursing at St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish and graduated in 1978. She worked for 2 years at the Miller Hospital, Kentville before returning to New Waterford, where she spent 31 years working on the medical floor, until illness forced her retirement.

She was a lifelong faithful member of Saint Agnes Parish until it closed, and then Holy Redeemer Parish in Whitney Pier.

Besides her parents she was predeceased by her sister Hughena (2005), her nephew Adrian MacLellan (2015) and her sister-in-law Marie MacLellan (2022). She was also predeceased by her grandparents Hughie Malcolm and Tena MacIntyre and Roderick and Christene MacLellan,  and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her sister Babes (Willie) Buchanan, and brothers John, Roddie and JJ, all of New Waterford. Also mourning her loss are her niece Cheryl (Darren) MacPherson and their children, Katelyn (Liam), Riley and Rory of Lingan and her niece Stacey MacMullin and her children, Ricki and Ella of Ottawa. She is also survived by nephew Michael (Laurie) Buchanan of St. John’s, NL and Michael’s daughter Meagan (Robert) Sullivan of Alberta, and nephews David Buchanan, New Waterford, Ian (Kirk) Buchanan, Belleville, ON and Matthew MacLellan, Vancouver.

She leaves behind her aunts Mockey MacIntyre and Flora Beaton of New Waterford, whom she loved dearly, and many good friends, especially Cathy, Patti, Dave, Donna, Wayne, Clare, Marie Janice, Margaret Anne and Anne.

Agnes loved all kinds of crafts and was a big fan of the holidays, especially Christmas, Halloween and Easter. She was always known as the candy lady for the huge baskets of treats she supplied to patients and staff at those special times of year. She loved the movies, TV, road trips - long and short, live entertainment, especially musicals and plays and dining out. She enjoyed nothing more than gatherings of family and friends, whether it be the big holidays, birthdays, our annual brunches, dessert parties, Oscar parties or barbecues. She was up for any gathering, no matter how much work was involved. But her biggest passion was travel, either with a group of family and friends or just her and J. She travelled all over Canada, the US, Rome, Venice, London and Paris. She really loved cruises, and did 17 in the last 20 years. There were many Caribbean cruises along with Bermuda, Mexico, the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Scandinavia and Eastern Canada and New England.

We are forever grateful to the many people who helped Agnes along the way over the past 12 years. We are especially thankful to Dr. Ron MacCormick, who gave us these many years with Agnes, when things looked so bleak at the beginning. She had the greatest faith and trust in him, as did we all. We also thank Dr. Jennifer Lange, her family doctor, who was always there when we needed her and Dr. Saliba, who recently took over Agnes’ cancer care. Special recognition to all the staff of the Cancer Centre but especially the nurses in the Chemo Room who became our friends during this long journey. Thanks to the girls in Diagnostic Imaging and MRI, those in blood collection at the hospital and at home and to those in the Regional ER and in New Waterford Hospital who cared for her in these final days. And last but certainly not least, the ladies from New Waterford Home Care, who were so kind to Agnes and brightened all our days when they visited. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude we feel towards you all.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 1, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass of celebration will take place Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023 at 10 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier, with Father Paul Murphy officiating. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery with a reception to follow at the K.O.C. in New Waterford. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. 

Donations to the Cancer Centre Patient Care Fund or a charity of choice would be appreciated.