MacGILLIVARY, Mary Jessie

Surrounded by her loving family, Mary Jessie MacGillivary of East Bay, age 88, passed away Friday, September 14, 2018 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Mount Young, Inverness on February 26, 1930 Mary was the daughter of the late Roderick and Ida (Tibbetts) MacKinnon. She was the last surviving member of a family of thirteen.

Raised in Mount Young, Mary moved to Sydney where she worked at the Isle Royale. She married John Joe MacGillivary in 1962 and together they ran the family farm on the Northside East Bay. Mary worked tirelessly in her garden and the barn and she guarded the traditions of making homemade butter, curds and cheese. She was well known for the strawberries she grew and her homemade bread and biscuits. The many neighbours who stopped by to visit were always greeted with a cup of tea and a fresh sweet. She was an amazing, supportive wife and mom who had never ending patience and love for her family. She doted on her three grandchildren Ian, Julien and Samuel. The boys always say “the cookie jar was never empty at Nanny’s house”.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, John Joe, in 2006.

She is survived by her daughters, Joanne MacGillivary, Juanita (Ralph MacLean), and son, Roderick (Shauna).

She was predeceased by her son, Clifford, in 2016.

The family would also like to thank and acknowledge the staff at MacDougall Court, Harbourstone Enhanced Care for the loving and compassionate care they provided for Mom for the last three years.

Visitation will take place at T.W Curry Parkview Chapel on Monday, September 17, 2018 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated Tuesday, September 18 at 11 a.m. at St Mary’s Church, East Bay, Fr. Frank Abbass officiating. Interment in the parish cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to Mary’s family by visiting www.twcurry.com.