MACLEOD, Jessie Catherine
Jessie Catherine MacLeod (94), passed away in Baddeck at the Victoria County Memorial Hospital on May 3, 2018. Jessie was born in Baddeck and was the eldest daughter of Angus and Winnie (MacKay) MacLeod. She graduated from Baddeck Academy in 1940.
During the war years, Jessie lived in Halifax while attending Maritime Business College. Following graduation she worked for the Department of Education, Correspondence Study Division. Jessie’s thirst for knowledge, her interest in people and travel along with her dedication to the United Church of Canada were the bases for the successful and varied career that ensued. In 1945 Jessie moved to Toronto to attend the United Church training school and then completed a BA at Victoria College, University of Toronto. She went on to earn a Masters Degree at Union Seminary in New York. In 1950, after participation in an international work camp to help build a centre for post war European youth in the Italian Alps, Jessie joined the staff of Chalmers United Church in Ottawa as a diaconal minister. In the 1960’s, she was employed at Mount Royal United Church in Montreal. She later transferred to the British Columbia Conference of the United Church in Vancouver where she worked in leadership development. Following her position in BC, she took on yet another challenge and became the Associate Dean of Students at Mount Allison University, where she remained for 5 years. Jessie’s next move was back to Toronto, where she worked in the Division of Mission in Canada, Department of Christian Development until 1980. Jessie’s love for Cape Breton enticed her back to the Island, where she worked as Minister of Christian Development at St Andrew’s United Church in Sydney until her retirement in 1986.
Throughout her career Jessie was especially interested in encouraging people of all ages, in identifying their gifts and developing them to their full potential. This dedication was recognized with several distinctions. In 1994 she was honoured with a Doctorate of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology and in 2013 she received the Companion of the Centre Award from the Centre for Christian studies in Winnipeg.
Upon retirement, Jessie moved back to Baddeck and purchased a house on Water Street by the lake. Swimming in the Bras d’Or Lake remained a much loved activity that she was able to do well into her senior years. She volunteered for various local church committees and became involved in community organizations such as Centre Bras d’Or, Hospice Society of Victoria County, Historical Society of Baddeck and the Alexander Graham Bell Club. She was also deeply committed to the Tatamagouche Centre and travelled there frequently.
Feeling the need to simplify her life, in 2012 Jessie sold her beloved Water Street home and moved into MacLeod House, a retirement living facility. She continued her cultural and social activities, her committee and volunteer work, and her involvement in Greenwood United Church. Jessie’s life was filled with education, her career, travel, friends, and family.
She was predeceased by her sister, Anna Nicholson.
She is survived by her sister, Agnes MacLeod; her nieces, Barbara McCurdy (Richard), Frances Nicholson (Laura); her nephew, Donald Nicholson (Pam); her grand-nephews, Glen McCurdy (Deborah), John McCurdy (Sarah), and her great-grand-nephew, Alastair.
Jessie has donated her body to Dalhousie University for the advancement of medical science. A memorial service will be held at Greenwood United Church, Baddeck on May 19 at 11 a.m. A reception will immediately follow the service. Arrangements are under the care and direction of MacAskill’s Funeral Home, Baddeck, NS.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mission and Service fund of the United Church of Canada, Greenwood United Church, or to a charity of choice.