Obituary of Christine Caroline 'Carol' Steele, New Waterford

We always thought our mom had angel wings and now it is official. Mom passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. God saw her pain as she battled cancer, and it now brings us much peace to know she is now reunited with Dad.

Carol and Ronnie were married 50 years; dad passed in 2014 and she missed him dearly. They have five children; Robert (Suzanne), Peterborough, ON, Charlene (Glen) Roach, Ronalda (Bob) Chipman, Glenda (Randy) Getto, Carolann (Scott) MacLeod, of New Waterford; six grandchildren, Jessica, Jade, Brenden, Kevin, Stephanie, and Kristen and two great-grandchildren, Marcus and Keith.

Carol was born and raised in New Victoria, a place that was always close to her heart. She was the daughter of Michael ‘Mitch’ and Genevieve ‘Jenny’ (MacKay) Deveaux. Carol was the second of nine children, survived by sisters, Eunice (Eddy) McCarthy, Angela (Greg, deceased) McKinnon; brothers, Timmy, Joe (Betty), Gerard (Jean, deceased); numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Mom was predeceased by her in-laws, Charles ‘Charlie’ and Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Steele; her sisters, Pauline (Brud) Brown, Michelle (Jerry) Snyder; brother, Johnny Deveaux, and grandchild, Adrian, in infancy.

Carol retired in 1997 from Maple Hill Manor; a position she took great pride in. She would say, “I was there when it opened”. Mom was such a hard and dedicated worker all her life, extremely selfless, always making sure everyone was taken care of first, safe, and most of all, fed. We always joke that is why our husbands stuck around so long was for her baking and cooking. Her home was always the center of family celebrations, and gatherings. Carol also enjoyed reading and loved her time in her garden. Mom was elegant, classy, kind, gentle, compassionate and a lady of great faith. Her love of God was evident throughout her life. We have peace knowing that dad came to dance her away to their heavenly home.

Special thank you to Dr. Brigitte Lowry, Leah Burns, the Palliative Care Team and the VON for all your reassurance, compassion, guidance, care and all your efforts allowing us to keep mom at home where she was most comfortable. A special thank you as well to Dan and Ivy Rankin for being such kind and thoughtful neighbours to mom.

In keeping with mom’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 at 10 a.m. with Father Jim Oliver officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a reception to follow at the K.O.C. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice/Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton or St. Leonard’s Parish. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.

Thank you, Mom, for always making us feel like we had enough…you truly are ‘Sweet Caroline’.

As a tribute to Mom, be kind and helpful to others.