Ann Agnes MacDonald

We say fare thee well to our mother, Ann who passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on March 2, 2018 at Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home surrounded by her family. Ann (Annie) was born on November 6, 1921 in Inverness, Cape Breton, the only daughter of the late Daniel Rankin and Sarah Beaton. Ann was a fifth generation Scot who embraced her Celtic roots through the Gaelic language, Scottish music and storytelling. She grew up in a strong, Catholic home with four brothers, two of whom became priests. She met the love of her life, Angus Archibald MacDonald and they married in 1950 in Inverness.

She worked at Robbin Jones, Maritime Telephone and Telegraph Company, then at T. Eaton and Sons and retired from Halifax West Municipal High School. She had wonderful lifelong friends from her working career.

Scottish music, ceilidhs and Cape Breton club dances were a big part of her life. She spent many holidays, in Glendale with her mother, brother, and visiting family from Port Hawkesbury, Mabou, Sydney and Inverness. She had many wonderful trips with family and friends to Medjugorje, Scotland, England, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Chile, and across Canada from Inuvik to Cape Spear and to the New England states and Florida.

Her favorite pastime was baking and she loved to spoil family and friends with her cinnamon rolls, oatcakes, bannock, date squares and Fat Archie and Thin Annie gingersnaps. She always was ready to put on the kettle for a cup of tea for whoever dropped by to visit. She had a love of life and was ready for anything with anyone at any time. She was a member of the Cape Breton Club of Halifax, the Gaelic Society, President of the Catholic Women’s League, minister of the Eucharist and an avid reader of the Inverness Oran.

She is survived by her daughters: Donalda Cody (Kevin) Timberlea, Catherine MacDonald, Halifax, and Sarah Cassidy (Patrick) Halifax. Beloved grandchildren Neal Cody (Catherine Scully) Edmonton, Duncan Cody, Halifax, Alana Cody (Terril Morgan) Timberlea, Devon Cassidy (Niall Burke) Halifax, Ainslee McCann (Trevor) Halifax. Great-grandchildren Kiera and Ewan Cody, Andre and Elara Cody Morgan. Beloved nephew Donald Rankin (Mary) Halifax, many more nieces and nephews and those who mom called daughter number 4. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Angus; her brothers Donald, Fr. John Angus, Douglas and Fr. Michael and her Great Granddaughter Simone Cody Morgan.

Visitation will be held J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax on Tuesday March 6, 2018 2-4:00 p.m. and 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata church, 6032 Normandy Drive, Halifax at March 7, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. Rev. Fr. Andrew Rembarczyk officiating. Reception to follow at Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata Parish Hall. Burial will be at Gates of Heaven Cemetery, 33 Old Sackville Rd, Lower Sackville. Following the reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia; Sacred Heart School of Halifax Bursary fund or Saint Vincent Nursing Home. Condolences and sharing of memories can be sent to the family by visiting: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank Helen Parsons and Christine Purcell for their friendship, love and care of our mom while at home. We are grateful as well for the compassion, dedication and affection shown by the staff on the 2nd floor of Saint Vincent’s Nursing home.