MacINNIS, Mary Alice

It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Alice MacInnis on August 12, 2018. Born Mary Alice Niven on June 4, 1950, she grew up in Ashby and attended local schools. She graduated from Cape Breton Business College in 1972 and had a long and successful career at the Sydney Steel Plant until it’s closure. Mary Alice had two passions in life, exercising and singing in the Sacred Heart choir. She was an avid walker and gym-goer for most of her adult life. She was more disciplined than the average Joe and rarely missed a workout! She was a longtime member of the Sacred Heart Choir and with much practice, she was able to perform in front of live audiences with ease. It was one of her greatest losses when she became ill and could no longer participate in choir. Mary Alice will be remembered for her kind, generous and gentle nature. She made friends wherever she went and would give anyone the shirt off her back. She possessed a wonderful sense of humor and often delivered some pretty comical one liners. She was diagnosed with a cardiac amyloidosis in March 2013 and was not expected to live much longer after the diagnosis was given. However, through the grace of God, a million prayers, and life-saving medical treatment she remained with us for much longer than expected. What a blessing those extra years were to her family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Bev and Jean Niven; her brother; Jack Niven, and her dear friend, Connie Fogarty. Surviving are her children, Allyson Neilson (David) Amelia Island, Florida, and Chris Mac Innis (Nathalie) Calgary, Alberta; her three grandsons whom she adored, Evan Neilson, Amelia Island, Florida and Sydney and Max MacInnis, Calgary, Alberta; her former husband and dear and loving friend, Allie Mac Innis, Sydney; her siblings, Bill Niven, Halifax, David Niven, Sydney, Philip Niven, Halifax, Beverley Niven (Rod Nicholls) Sydney, Paul Niven (Lois) Ramona, California. She was very fond of her nephew, Jonathan Yazer, Toronto and her nieces, Jenna Niven, Toronto, Kelly Niven, Halifax, Gail Niven, Halifax and Carly Niven, Halifax. She also leaves behind so many dear and faithful friends, whom she adored and shared a lifetime of memories. Our family would like to thank Dr. Greg Myatt and his staff, Janice and Laura for the time and attention given to mom after her diagnosis. The nurses and staff at the Cape Breton Cancer Center, the doctors and nurses, especially Linda Murphy of the palliative care department, and the nurses and staff at The Cove Nursing Home who went above and beyond to provide her care and comfort in her final months. We hope you are inspired by Mary Alice’s life and you will be kind to everyone you meet, just as she was. Mary Alice had a strong faith in God and we have an assurance and a hope that she is safe in the arms of Jesus and is once again her strong, vibrant and healthy self!! Visitation will be held Friday August 17, 2018 in Sydney Memorial Chapel from 5 -8 p.m. Funeral Liturgy will take place Saturday at 10 a.m., in Holy Redeemer Church with Rev. Paul Murphy and Rev. Anthony O’Connor officiating. Following the service there will be a reception at Sydney Memorial Chapel. Memorials in Mary Alice’s memory may be made to The Cove Guest Home or An Cala Unit Palliative Care, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel. ca or emailed to sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:7