It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our little buddy on February 7, 2026 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care unit.

Born in New Waterford on October 19, 1936, as Mary Eileen MacNeil, she was the daughter of the late Hector and Mary Ann (MacMullin) MacNeil.

Family meant everything to Ma and her passing will leave a void in our lives that will never be completely filled. She was incredibly proud of her family and never missed a school, birthday or graduation event. From babysitting to sitting with the patients Ma’s love of people shone through. Eileen was the last of her immediate family. With her passing she now joins her beloved husband Patrick John O’Flaherty and her brothers and sisters again in spirit.

She is survived by her daughters, Jean Jobes, Sydney, Brenda O’Flaherty,Gardiner Mines; son, David O’Flaherty, Sydney and special grandson, Michael Jobes.

Also mourning her passing are sisters-in-laws Finn MacNeil, Joanne Boudreau, Teresa (Don) MacNeil, Bernadette Joyner, Joan Stephenson and Yvonne Bell. She will sadly be missed by her many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Eileen was predeceased by her sisters, Dolena (Jimmy) MacKinnon, Sadie (Arnie) Leudy, Agnes (Sonny) Boudreau and brothers, Mickey (Louise), Francis and Johnnie (Jean) MacNeil. Sister-in-laws, Mary Gwynne-Harrison, Kathleen Hall, Anne Borzush, Eileen Moore, Gwen O’Flaherty and Jacqueline O’Flaherty; father and mother in-law, Patrick and Elizabeth O’Flaherty; brother in-laws, Charles Moore, Charles Gwynne-Harrison, Alex Borzush, Arnold Joyner, Benny Stephenson and William O’Flaherty.

There will be no visitation. A Funeral Mass of celebration will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 2 p.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Jim Oliver officiating. A reception will follow in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. Burial will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.