It is with deep sorrow to announce the passing of Jean Cecilia Hinchey, age 66, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital surrounded by the love of her life and caregiver, common law husband, Wayne, family and friends.

Born in New Waterford, she was the daughter of Jean (MacLellan) Murphy and the late John 'Cecil' Murphy.

Cecilia enjoyed life to the fullest and thoroughly loved baseball and playing darts. She also enjoyed being in the presence of children and adored animals; especially her fur babies, Milo, Roxy, Jingles and Chloe. Cecilia was also extremely fond of the many good times she had at her cousin's place (her sister, as she referred to her) Diane Marie Podgursky and the many trips to Inverness with Diane Copan. Cecilia assisted at Diane's Salon and also worked at Tim Hortons and Muise's Dairy; where she met many friends and had great talks with all the kids that entered the store. She provided homecare to many friends. Cecilia, and her amazing smile, will always be remembered. She was loved by all.

Surviving are her common-law husband, Wayne White; brother, Cecil; special sisters, Joann Murphy, Yellowknife and Diane (Arthur) Hicks, Glace Bay, Millie and Kim, New Waterford; two special aunts, Diane MacLean and Norma (Wally) Ransom; many nieces and nephews; one special nephew, Max Murphy and one special grandnephew, Isiah Hicks; also, Diane Copan (Bryan), New Waterford, Helen (Art) Frost, Westville, Eileen and Cathy, New Waterford and Dakota Williams, who was like a special son to her.

Besides her father, Cecil, she was predeceased by her son, John Michael; sister, Jenny; brother, Michael; grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Special thank you to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital ER and 4A Palliative Care Units, Homecare and VON who all gave excellent care to Cecilia. Thanks to Mitchell (Aurora) Hicks, Daniel Murphy, Isiah Hicks, Max Murphy, nephew, Matthew (Melissa) Fraser and niece, Kayla (Tom) Fraser for all their comforting phone calls. Also thank you for the many visits from friends, Edie Roach, Donna Mills, Agnel Joseph, Kenny Tucker, Linda, Rosie, Donna and Arlie, Karen Hurley, Bernadette and Diane MacLean, Diane Copan and Helen (Art) Frost and Diane Marie Podgursky, Chad Tucker, Julia and Kyle Hicks, Keigan Stubbard, Stephanie Murphy, Hilda, Peter, Sandy, Cory, Doreen, Marie Williams, and neighbour, Chris Fraser, for all his help. To V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, thank you for your guidance at this difficult time.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. all in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. Deacon Lorne MacNeil officiating. A reception will be held in the funeral home with burial to follow in Union Grove Cemetery, Scotchtown. Donations in her memory may be made to the Cape Breton SPCA. Online expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.