Obituary of Catherine Elizabeth MacKay, New Waterford

It is with heavy hearts that we, the family, announce her peaceful passing on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care Unit, surrounded by her loving family. Catherine was the youngest daughter of the late Ronald and Mary Belle (McKenzie) MacKinnon.

Our mother was a kind and gentle woman known for her loving heart, generous nature, and calm disposition teaching us these values. She took pride in her Scottish heritage. She was an intelligent woman who embraced change and kept an open mind throughout her life. She adored and cherished her family raising her five daughters and five sons.

She was a member of the St. Ann's Society and St. Leonard's CWL, the Joy Program and St. Vincent de Paul. She also loved her Bingo friends at the Army, Nav, Air Force, New Waterford. Her life was grounded in her faith and family. Her rosary was wrapped around her wrist. She had a deep love for animals, especially her cat, Zena and music. She was noted for her apple and butterscotch pies and her tea biscuits.

She is survived by her daughters, Catherine (Francis - deceased) Matlock, Mary MacKay, Tinie (Rick) Attwood, Zita (Jimmy) Burns; sons, David (Millie) MacKay, George (Joannie) MacKay, Ronald (Sheila) MacKay, Mark MacKay, Willie (Annette) MacKay; as well as son-in-law, Jake MacPherson; 22 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jamie MacKinnon and Marina MacKay; her last surving sibling, Cassie Cote.

She was predeceased by her parents Ronald and Mary Belle (McKenzie) MacKinnon; loving husband of 54 years, David and her daughter, Cynthia MacPherson; son, Duncan of 5 months; grandson, David MacKay; siblings, Mary Ann MacLean, Belle O'Connor, Jessie White, Angus MacKinnon, John 'Jiggie' MacKinnon, Dan 'Diddles' MacKinnon, Duncan MacKinnon; in-laws, George MacKay, Ernest MacKay, and Peggy Banville.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 13 from 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass of celebration will take place on Tuesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Godwin Obike officiating. Cremation will follow. Private burial will be held in Mount Carmel Cemetery at a later date. Immediately following the Funeral Mass, a reception will be held at the K.O.C., 3236 Plummer Ave., New Waterford. Family flowers only. Donations in her memory may be made to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital or a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.