MacKAY, Nellie
Nellie MacKay, age 93 of Baddeck, passed away on September 13, 2018 at Victoria County Memorial Hospital. Born in Coxheath, NS on June 28, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Nelson and Mary (MacInnis) Beaton.
Nellie graduated from the Sydney City School of Nursing in 1946. She worked in Liverpool, Canso, Corner Brook, NL and Baddeck before moving to Cambridge, MA with husband Alfred where she worked at Cambridge City Hospital and later Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick, MA. Nellie put her nursing career on hold to raise her four kids and help run the family business, A&N Laundry in Natick. She semiretired Down East to Baddeck where she resumed her nursing career at Baddeck Hospital and Alderwood Nursing Home and became owner of Bannockburn Tours.
Nellie enjoyed travelling, square dancing, playing cards, baking, knitting, “picking fiddleheads” with best friend Barbara MacKay, and was an avid reader. She was a founding member of the Gaelic Society of Baddeck and enjoyed many ceilidhs. She belonged to the St. Andrews United Church, Baddeck Forks, and was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Nellie was predeceased by husband, Alfred; sister, Marion (Jim) Lewis, and grandson, Kyle MacKay.
Survived by brother, Colin (Margaret) Beaton, New Minas, NS; sister, Ethel (Gordon) Carmichael, Bradenton, FL; daughters, Alice (Greg) Shanks, Bluffton, SC, Jennie (Doug) Block, Fort Mill, SC; sons, Alfie (Jennifer) MacKay, Baddeck, Danny (Kathleen) MacKay, Sackville, NS; grandkids, Emma, Sarah, Shannon, Cal, Daniel, Walter and Jessie, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the Victoria County Home Care staff and the Victoria County Palliative Care team for their kindness and care that allowed Nellie to live comfortably at home. Thanks also to Victoria County Memorial Hospital staff for their compassionate care. Special thanks to friend Greta Gardner, niece Pat Lewis, extended family Mary Nicholson and Jacquie Gauthier.
Cremation has taken place. A family service and internment will take place at a future date, arrangements under the direction of MacAskill Funeral Home, Baddeck, NS.
Donations in memory of Nellie can be made to the Kyle MacKay Memorial Fund at smbatreasurer@mail.com to help underprivileged kids play basketball – please reference Kyle MacKay Memorial Fund in the message part of the transfer.