Obituary of Cecilia Gosbee, River Ryan

With heavy hearts we announce the sudden, peaceful passing of Cecilia Gosbee, on October 11,2023, at Harbourstone Enhanced Care where she had resided for the past four months.

Born in MacAdam’s Lake on August 19, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Dougal and Effie Belle (Harrietha) Currie.

Cecilia’s life was a tapestry of love, culture and cherished memories. She grew up on a farm with her parents and 12 siblings, with whom she shared a very special bond throughout her life.

In 1956 she met Ray at a dance at the Old Navy League in Sydney. They were married on October 29, 1957, at St. Mary’s Church, East Bay, N.S. Their enduring love story lasted 63 years until his passing in December 2020. In a loving home, they raised four children of whom they were very proud.

Cecilia was a long-time member of St. Michael’s Parish (presently St.Leonard’s). Her strong faith was reflected in her service to the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), to the parish choir and in honour of the Virgin Mary her devotion to the daily Holy Rosary. Cecilia also enjoyed her membership in the Cape Breton Gaelic choir and her weekly exercise group.

In later years Cecilia and Ray enjoyed travelling to many of their favourite destinations. They spent time at their summer home in Mira with their entire family and always enjoyed meeting new friends while vacationing in their RV. However, mom was most content in her kitchen, the heart of her home. The scent of her cooking and baking would welcome all and her tales of the “olden days” became a source of wisdom and laughter for her children and grandchildren. But most of all, mom treasured her family. She felt we were her greatest blessings.

“Mom you will always be our Queen; your memory will forever be a melody in our hearts and your precious smile our mark of affection.We take solace in knowing you are reunited with dad and together will watch over us.”

Cecilia will be deeply missed by her four children, Raylene (Lauchie) Hinchey, Cecil (Michelle Bourgeois), Brenda (Fred) MacEachern and Doreen (Sheldon) White. Her nine beloved grandchildren will forever cherish Nana’s stories, songs and suppers…Jennifer (Adam) Matthews, Jonathan (Kelsey) Gosbee, Jarett (Cayla) Gosbee, Jason MacEachern (Kate Corbett), Kyle (Jenna) MacEachern, Evan (Ruby) MacEachern, Tyler (Allison) White, Colin (Melissa) White, and Liam White (Hannah Conrad). She was blessed with six great grandchildren: Ben and Lucy Matthews, Logan Gosbee, Rosie MacEachern , Noah and Callum White and four expected new arrivals! She is survived by her brother John Lauchie (Lizzie) Currie, sisters-in-law Peggy, Theresa and Shirley, brother-in -law Archie Fraser. Cecilia will be dearly missed by Ray’s sisters Ruth Burchell and Elizabeth (Willie) Porquet along with many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Cecilia was predeceased by her loving husband Ray, her siblings Mary (Foch Pickup), Angus, Dan, Flora (Claude MacMullin), Tenie (Michael MacInnis), Katie Mae, Michael (Rhodena), Theresa (Tom MacLean), Jimmy, Caddie Fraser, Francis ‘Buddy’ (Sally). Also predeceased by in-laws Jackie Gosbee (Eileen) and Roy Burchell.

Special thanks to mom’s primary care physician Dr. Glen Worth (whom she adored), Dr. A. Kelly-Wiggins, and most recently Dr. Steven Hall. To staff at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Irish Cove thank you …. you welcomed mom (and us) with open arms and provided excellent care during her time there. Over the past seven years mom was provided such great care from County Homemakers, VON and special angels Tootsie, Rose, Elaine, and Joann. We are forever grateful to Shannon MacKinnon LPN and friends Laura Lee and Johnny Gillis who supported both mom and dad during their journey.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 16 from 6-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home , 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, October 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Leonard’s Parish, Mount Carmel Ave., with Father Godwin Obike officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, River Ryan with reception to follow at the Army, Navy, Airforce, Unit 217, 495 Smith Street, New Waterford. 

Donations in Cecilia’s memory may be made to St. Michael’s Cemetery Fund or the Alzheimer’s Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillvray.ca.