MACNEIL, Irene Elizabeth

Sydney

It is with heavy hearts that we, the family, announce the sudden passing of Irene Elizabeth MacNeil, age 60, at her residence in Sydney, on February 12, 2017.

Irene was born in Sydney, November 4, 1956 and was raised in Shenacadie. She was one of six children born to the late John Murdock and Mary Sarah (MacKinnon) MacNeil.

As an adult, Irene continued to live in the family home with her mother Mary and sister Linda, who, together raised her daughter Jennifer and nephew Mark. Irene assisted in supporting her mother until she passed away in 2015; after which, Irene moved to Sydney. Irene loved reading, swimming and going for drives, she loved clothes and frequented Donna’s Consignment Shop and like most Cape Bretoners, she loved a good strong cup of tea. She will also be remembered for her creative talents including drawing, painting, crocheting and knitting; her last project, in honor of becoming a grandmother in August 2016, was a knitted baby blanket for her grandson Owen.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Bill Hahn) MacNeil; grandson, Owen; sisters, Linda MacNeil, Maureen (Everett) Sullivan, and Anita MacNeil; sisters-in-law, Kim MacNeil and Heather MacNeil. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews; aunts, Theresa MacIntosh, Marie MacKinnon and Annie T. MacNeil.

She was predeceased by brothers, Jackie and Gerald.

Many family and friends may not know that Irene spent a lot of her life living with undiagnosed Schizophrenia. Once diagnosed, life became easier and more hopeful for Irene and her immediate family. We would like to thank Agnes Campbell and the staff of Cairdeil Place, Irene’s case worker Sandra Murray, the staff of Shimi Housing and Dr. Libbus at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for all your dedicated help and support which helped Irene to become part of a caring and understanding community of friends for the past several years.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017, from 9 - 10:45 a.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Theresa’s Church. A reception with a light lunch will be served at St. Theresa’s Parish Center immediately after the funeral mass. Burial will be in St. Barra’s Parish Cemetery, Christmas Island at a later date.

Donations can be made to Cairdeil Place, 288 Bentinck St., Sydney, B1P 1G9 or a charity of choice. Online condolences by visiting www.twcurry.com.