MACINNIS, Rita (MacNeil)

We sadly regret to announce the passing of our mother, Rita (MacNeil) MacInnis, 94 of Wilmington, Mass., on July 4, 2015, at Woodbriar Nursing Home in Wilmington, Mass. She was the daughter of the late Daniel and Mary Sarah MacNeil and was born on Boularderie Island and raised in Florence, Cape Breton.

Rita was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved to garden and tend her many flower beds. She loved to cook and bake while listening to her Celtic music and she loved the company of her grandchildren and all of the no-notice visits from her relatives. She was always ready with a hot meal to greet anyone who came to her door. She enjoyed travelling back to Cape Breton and to her roots, Isle of Skye in Scotland. She spent many days at Wilmington’s Senior Center where she developed many friendships. She was loved by all that knew her and will be missed tremendously.

Rita is survived by her five sons, Stephen Blaine (MaryAnne), Merrill (Sandy), Ian, Myron (Patricia) and Christopher. She also leaves behind 11 beautiful grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her sister Theresa Ahle, of Cape Breton, N.S.

Rita was predeceased by her sisters Mary Margaret Oram, Mary Catherine (Toots) Halliday, Amelda (Melda) Ahle, Tina Jessome, Elizabeth Cashin, and Christina MacNeil; brothers, Allan, Neil, Stephen, John, William, and Michael MacNeil.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 31 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Church Road Little Bras d’Or. Committal will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Rita’s name to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.