Obituary of Margaret Rose "Margie" MacSween, RN, Glace Bay/Bedford

It is with great sadness that we, the family of Margaret “Margie” MacSween, age 89 of Glace Bay announce her passing on August 24, 2024 at Ivany Place (Northwood Bedford).

Margie was born in Glace Bay and was the daughter of the late Richard and Annie Spracklin.

After graduating from St. Anne's High School she went on to enter nursing school. Margie graduated from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in 1956, beginning a life long career in Nursing. Margie was Head Nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital Third Floor Maternity, including Labour and Delivery. She worked as Maternity Head Nurse for most of her nursing career. Nursing was her passion and she truly loved working on Third Floor.

Countless times growing up, we would meet people when we were at the grocery store or shopping and they would stop her and thank her for the wonderful care they received as a patient on Third Floor or they would proudly show their child that she had either delivered, supported or cared for during their hospital stay. I never was with her that she did not know or remember the past patient who had stopped her. And she always took the time to speak with them whenever we were approached. It was this love of caring and helping people that I remember and are most proud of when thinking of her nursing career. Margie retired in 1993 with the most wonderful retirement party given by her staff.

Margie had many interests outside of nursing. She loved to garden and was always expanding the gardens in our yard. She was an excellent baker and cook. Dancing of almost any kind was a passion of hers. She was always playing music in the house while baking, cleaning etc. Square dancing and line dancing were her favourites. She was also an avid skater until her later years. Quilting was a special gift she shared with all of us and we would receive one of her special quilts to grace our beds.

Margie was predeceased by her husband of 52 years Lionel. Theirs was a marriage built on love and respect and we were lucky enough to have grown up under their loving care and support. Margie is survived by her son, John, Vancouver and daughter, Nancy (Ed)Devison, Hammonds Plains, her pride and joy were here 2 grandchildren, Mitchell (Nicole) Devison, Calgary and Lindsay Devison (Toni Simon), Calgary.

Margie loved being Grandma and spent many hours visiting her grandchildren helping raise them into the adults they are today. Mitchell and Lindsay now have children of their own and Grandma had now become "GG", Great Grandma, and great she certainly was. She loved nothing better than a visit whether in person for a cuddle or a FaceTime visit from Calgary, it brought her incredible joy. I never visited her without my iPad so she could see the latest pictures and videos of her great grandchildren. It always brought a smile to her face. One of the last things she did, on the Thursday before she passed away, was picking out Christmas gifts for her great grandchildren, Joseph (Lindsay) and Sylvie (Mitchell). She then picked out what new pictures of Joseph and Sylvie to put in the frames for her room.

Margie is also survived by one sister, Judy MacIntyre, Glace Bay and brothers, Bob (Carole) Campbell, Pictou; Terry Campbell, Sydney; George (Dorothy) Spracklin, Orleans, Ontario.

There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Anne's Church, Glace Bay on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1 pm followed by a reception then interment in the parish cemetery.  Fr. Macleen Anyanwu and Fr. Jim Oliver presiding.

Donations can be made to Parkinson Canada or a charity of your choice. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca