Margaret Elizabeth Cusack

89, Sydney

It is very hard to face the lingering transition from present tense to past tense with someone you love dearly. For the family of Margaret Elizabeth Cusack, RN that change began on March 27, 2012.

Born Margaret Marchand in Little Dover (Canso), N.S., on Sept. 22, 1922, Mom grew up in Canso and Arichat. She taught school for a year and graduated in 1944 from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing subsequently enjoying many lifelong friendships with classmates.

Mom nursed in Montreal and Halifax before becoming matron of l’hôpital Ste. Anne in Arichat, where she met and married, Dr. Cornelius Gallivan Cusack, DDS.

Mom and Dad moved from Arichat to East Bay then finally to 110 Whitney Ave., Sydney in 1959, where they raised eight children. Mom remained at this address until the end, joyfully hosting family, friends and strangers.

Mom’s final days were spent under excellent care at the Palliative Care unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. This was a fitting setting for a woman who donated many passionate hours promoting and fund raising for Hospice Palliative Care of Cape Breton. She remained active in this endeavour until a few short weeks before entering hospital in January.

Mom was a set decorator and volunteer for ATV’s Mass for Shut-Ins, past president and volunteer for the Catholic Women’s League and a steadfast advocate for social justice. She was an active member, chairperson and instructor at the Cape Breton School of Crafts. Mom also spearheaded projects for single mothers, homeless youth, Loaves and Fishes and was a strong promoter for bone marrow donations.

As a parent and grandparent she was watchful and concerned about all of us; freely offering love, encouragement, and the lessons needed right to the end. She lead by example and was forgiving of all.

We will all miss the large family gatherings she tirelessly prepared for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren every Christmas, Easter and at other times of year. This will be the first year some grandchildren will not have their Nanny’s Christmas celebration.

Mom is survived by her sister, Lorraine Cantlie (Jim); sister-in-law, Ruth Marchand; eight children, Elizabeth Cusack, Anne (Ron) Sewell, Marie (Frank) Nemeth, Jane (Joey) Hines, Helen Cusack (Jeff Wall), Cathy Cusack (Lawrence Denham), Bill Cusack (Valerie Ervin-Cusack), Roland Cusack (Barb Hildebrand). Grandchildren, Catherine and James Walsh and their father Gary, Robert (Katrena) Sewell and David Sewell, Lisa (Kevin) Hopper, Amy (Aaron) Book, and Laura Nemeth, Brian Hines (Heather Morrow), Mark and Jacqueline Hines, Chrisanna, Sarah and Jennie Dobrowolski and their father John, Jeffrey Cusack, Christopher Denham, Brendan and Allison Cusack, Ben Cusack and six great-grandchildren, Kristina and Ethan Sewell, Lillian Hopper, Patrick and Jillian Book and Molly Hines who helped her smile with joy right up to the last day; also her nieces and nephews in the McIntyre (Roland and Mary), Smith (Verona and Trueman), Marchand (Dave and Ruth) and Cantlie (Lorraine and Jim) families.

She was predeceased by her husband, Cornelius Gallivan Cusack (Connie), her parents, Albini and Marie Eugenie Marchand, parents-in-law, Bill and Bess (Gallivan) Cusack, sister-in-law, Mary McIntyre and six of eight siblings Verona Smith, Dave, Vernon, Joseph, Blanche and Monica Marchand.

Mom is also survived by many cherished friends-young and elderly-who are too numerous to list but have our sincere gratitude for their caring friendship.

She was very appreciative, as are we, of the excellent care she received at the QE II, the Cape Breton Regional ER, 4C and Palliative Care; for Dr. Mark Sampson and his assistant Rita for their great empathy as well as Dr. Phillip Curry who helped Mom hear to the end.

Mom had a good night greeting she used regularly before retiring for the night, “If you need me you know where I am.” Yes Mom, if we need you, and we will, “we know where you are”.

There will be a wake at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney on Thursday, March 29 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 40 Cabot St., Sydney on Friday, March 30 at 10 a.m.

Donations can be made to Cape Breton Hospice Palliative Care, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design or the IWK bone marrow transplant program.