It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend on May 22, 2023 in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family, where she was retired from after working there for 21 years as an LPN.
Born on December 9, 1958 to Rose Gillis and the late John Francis MacDonald of Harbourview.
Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Jordan; children, Devin MacDonald (Alberta), Heidi (John) Smith (Deepdale), Dylan MacIsaac (Sydney); grandchildren, Ethan, Kayleigh and Christopher; brothers, Rory (Wanda) (Yarmouth), Wayne (Shirley) (Harbourview), Raymond (Sherry) (B.C), Sheldon (Shelley) (Halifax); mother-in-law, Julie MacIsaac; father-in-law, Wilfred MacIsaac; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides her father, she was predeceased by sister, Carol Anne Smith; brother-in-law, Gord Smith; grandparents, Maggie and Duncan Gillis, and Margaret and Angus D. MacDonald.
Debbie was born and raised in Harbourview where she met her husband at the age of 29. They were truly each other's best friend. Debbie had a close circle of friends through the years who will all miss her deeply.
After finishing high school, Debbie put herself through business college then went on to nursing, which she loved. Debbie practiced nursing in Halifax, then moved herself and her oldest son to Montreal before setting back home. She continued her nursing career in Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home before accepting a job in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Debbie was proud to care for her patients. She did everything she could for all around her and was very proud of her family.
She enjoyed being outside and taking ATV rides with her husband, being in the garden, spending time at the beach, or just walking in the woods. She was known for her homemade bread, which she always shared with all that came around. Debbie enjoyed spending time in the cabin or sitting in the screen tent.
Her family would like to thank the ICMH palliative care team of doctors and nurses and the staff of the Oncology Department for all their support.
Visitation will be held in Port Hood and Area Resting Place on Tuesday May 30 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass will take place in St. Peter's Church, Port Hood on Wednesday at 2:00 pm with Father Sunny Sebastian and Father Eugene Morris celebrating. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery.
In Debbie's honor, memorial donations may be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society or to Breton Ability, Sydney River, where her son Dylan resides.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.
