Obituary of Margaret Isobel MacLellan, New Waterford

It is with the greatest of regret that we announce the passing of our Mother, Margaret Isobel MacLellan. She passed away at the Inverary Manor in Inverness on June 15th 2025 having reached the remarkable age of 102.

A long term resident of New Waterford, Margaret was born in Dunvegan, Inverness County on October 30th, 1922.  She was the last surviving member of her immediate family and the youngest daughter of Donald Joseph and Mary Isabel (Collins) MacLeod. She was predeceased by siblings Aurelia, Donald, Collins, John Duncan (Mary), Katherine Grant (Jack), Finley, Sister Anne CND, the Rev. Colonel, Alexander (Pearl), Roderick (Christine) and the Rev Angus.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Rannie, sons Angus, Alexander (Sandy), Collins and daughter Aurelia.  She is survived by her loving children Joseph (Fran), Donnie (Eleanor), Colonel (Jackie), Archie, Hugh Allan and Ronalda (Martin).  She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren and her sister-in-law, Christine MacLeod of Dunvegan.

Our Mother was part of the Greatest Generation who were shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. She, like many of her cohort, lovingly raised a large family on Warren Avenue and was the last surviving Mother from our old neighbourhood.  Her profound commitment to her Christian faith served as the wellspring of her love, patience, kindness, constant good cheer, and generous sacrifices for four generations. She had an immutable moral code that framed every single decision she ever made.  She never “bent with the wind” and consequently was respected and adored by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She set an outstanding example for us all and will be remembered with deep love and affection for many, many decades. A Tarabish player extraordinaire, she will be remembered for her endless card playing, always with that special twinkle in her eye. She played countless rounds of Crazy Eights with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, turning it into a cherished rite of passage over time.

As a Centenarian, from going to church in a horse and wagon as a young girl to Face Timing her grandchildren around the world she witnessed it all and did it all. Not much put her off her stride. Always cool in a crisis, she was a genuine lover of life and always put her full trust in God.

Margaret was a long-term member of Mount Carmel Church, now St. Leonard’s, the Jr. St Anne’s Society, the Catholic Woman’s League (CWL) and Growing Old Gracefully. One of her greatest loves was Scottish music and culture, which she promoted with great enthusiasm her entire life. Nothing warmed her heart more than a good set of foot-tapping Cape Breton music. She was a founding member of the Cape Breton Gaelic Society and made her first trip to Scotland in 1972. She became an avid traveler in her later years and loved to meet new people in new places.

She became a resident of Inverary Manor in 2022 where she received exemplary and loving care, for which her family are most grateful.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday, June 25 from 9 - 10 a.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass of celebration will take place on Wednesday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Godwin Obike officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a reception to follow in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.

Thank you Mother /Granma/GG for bequeathing your faith, wisdom and love. Joy you gave us, joy you now have. Rest in Peace. We love you.