Our beloved Matron, Mary Catherine Francis (also known as Nanny), age 88, entered the spirit world on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at her dutiful daughter in law’s home on 5307 Mountain Road, Eskasoni. Her adoring family and friends surrounded her as she made her journey. She was born in Antigonish to Mary Isabel and John Joe and she was the eldest of 6 children.
Mary Catherine and her family relocated to Eskasoni, Nova Scotia during centralization. She did have familial ties that connected her to not only Nova Scotia, but to New Brunswick, and New Foundland. She cherished all of her relations. She attended and survived the Shubenacadie Residential School along with her siblings. She later became a crusader for Indian Residential School survivors in Canada.
Mary Catherine incorporated her Mi’kmaw language, and culture into her Catholic religion. She was an avid member of the choir with the Holy Family Parish in Eskasoni. Her love and devotion for St. Anne was unparalleled and she trekked annually to St. Anne De Beaupre and to the Se’t An Mission in Potlotek every summer.
She was a lover of powwows and fiddle music. Mary Catherine loved to sing and she loved classical county music. She was a gambler at heart and she enjoyed playing bingo and playing cards. Mary Catherine enjoyed travelling Mi’kmaki and she often frequented the states of Maine and Massachusetts.
Mary Catherine is survived by her children Kevin (Anita), John David, Kenny, Eunice, Walter Jr. (Audrey), Mary, Richard, Beverly, Jonathan (Lynn), and Jonaphan (Kattirin); step daughter Virginia; daughter in law Mary Lafford (Joanie); her last surviving brother Eddie Joe (Barbara); special homecare worker Karen Doucette; 42 grandchildren, 60 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Mary Catherine is predeceased by her first husband Levi Lafford, her second husband Walter Francis; sons Fabian, and Karl; step-sons Tommy Beadle, Jerry Beadle; grandchildren Levi, Alex, Lewis, and Wendy; brothers Noel Joe, Levi, Fabian, Wilfred and Benedict; sisters Mary Theresa, and Mary Tena.
We the family would like to extend our thanks to the homecare team in Eskasoni, Eskasoni Prime Care Clinic, Palliative Care at the Cape Breton Regional. Donations can be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society.
A private family funeral service will be held at Holy Family Parish. Memories and condolences can be left for the family at twcurry.com
