MCNALLY (Arsenault), Mary Dorothy “Dot”
Mary Dorothy “Dot” Mcnally (Arsenault) passed away peacefully at age 93 on March 15, 2024, at Serenacare Special Care Home in Moncton, surrounded by her loving family. The daughter of Marguerite Arsenault Morris, Dorothy was born in Summerside, and was raised in the loving home of her Aunt Corinne and Uncle Vernon Arsenault. She moved to Moncton, NB after high school to undertake a nursing program at Hotel Dieu. In 2023 she was an honoured guest at the 100-year celebration of the Georges Dumont Hospital in Moncton having been recognized as a graduate of the nursing class of 1950 and the eldest former staff member and guest of the event. Following her graduation from nursing, Dorothy ventured from the east coast to work as a nurse for a short time in Ontario before returning to the Maritimes and marrying James (Jim) Mcnally in 1952. She and Jim settled in Moncton where they raised their large family.
Dorothy was cherished by her family for her sweet and gentle disposition and for the decades of love and selfless care she provided for her seven children and their spouses, fifteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren as well as many neighborhood and school friends who were always welcomed to her safe and loving home. Mom was constantly on deck for her very active family preparing meals, lunches and snacks for countless school trips, outdoor adventures, and sports events; doing laundry to keep track and field, football, and basketball jerseys spotless for the next competition, and always having a hot meal ready when the family returned from a day of skiing. Dorothy enjoyed many years getting together with her North End Bridge group girlfriends. She was a crossword and trivia whiz and - in her quiet understated way - would have been a formidable Jeopardy opponent given the opportunity. When her children moved on to begin their own lives, she was a beacon of welcome for visits home. Besides her family’s universal favourites of seafood casserole, lemon meringue pie and speckled squares, individual favourites would always be ready.
Dorothy is survived by Jim, her husband of 71 years; children - Carole (Joe) Meating, Sault Ste Marie ON; Daniel (Julie Kerr), Kingsport NS; Stephen (Suzanne Drapeau), Grand Barachois NB; Mary (Bob Trainor) Wolfville NS; Gregory (Kathy) Bridgewater NS; Edward (Janice), Moncton; and John (Crystal Gamble) Moncton; Meating grandchildren – Stephen, Sault Ste Marie and Adam (Monica), Toronto, ON; Mcnally grandchildren Corinne (Jess Landry), Toronto, ON; Danielle (Troy Ryan), Toronto, Leah, Seattle, WA; Patrick (Meredith St. John), Calgary, AB; Thomas (Annaelle Kaczmarek), Dieppe NB; Carolynn, Toronto, ON, Joseph (Kayla), Trenton, ON, Claire, Bridgewater NS, Eryn, Halifax, NS, Will, Ella, Laura and Rosie, Moncton; great-grandchildren – Owen, Isla and Emelia Meating, Levi and Florence Landry, and Anne, Joseph, Molly and Eva Mcnally. She is also survived by her sisters Linda (Don) Fraser and Shirley (Don) Blacker, brother Danny Morris all of Ontario, special cousin Sandra Durelle, Lakeville NB, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Dorothy lived her last days as she did her entire life, with grace and gratitude. Nobody ever visited without receiving Dorothy’s appreciation and thanks on their departure. Her family is grateful for the tender and compassionate care provided by Susan Dixson, Leslie Hickey, Dr. Jocelyn Cormier, and the extraordinary staff of Serenacare Special Care Home where she and Jim have lived for the last five years. The family also thanks Sheila Morano and Sherry Ryder for the many years of dedicated and loving daily care they provided for Dorothy prior to her move to Serenacare. Special thanks also go to Sheila Morano for her regular visits to administer The Eucharist.
Dorothy was a parishioner of St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church for over 60 years. A visitation will be held at Ferguson’s Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton on Tuesday, March 19th, from 3-5 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, March 20th at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, Dominion Street, Moncton followed by a gathering of family and friends in the St. Augustine’s Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Foundation CHU Dumont Foundation https://fondationdumont.ca/ or charity of choice would be welcome.