It is with broken hearts that we, the family of Josephine Sears of Sydney Nova Scotia, are sad to announce her passing in Cape Breton Hospice on January 22, 2024. She was 88 years old, born on February 23, 1935, to Daniel and Teresa (MacNeil) Mac Lean of Oxford Street. From there she enrolled in Holy Angel’s Convent. While in high school she sang in the Holy Angel’s Chorale where her great love of music was born. She also loved playing on the Varsity Basketball Team. From Holy Angels, she moved to Xavier Junior College before completing her BA and B.Ed. at St Francis Xavier University with a major in English Literature. While at St FX University she made some dear friends and she also earned a letter in Varsity Basketball.
Returning to Sydney with a freshly minted Bachelor of Education, she began teaching, in Sydney, with her English degree. Most notably, she taught at Don Bosco Junior High, Whitney School, and ended her career as one of the inaugural staff of Whitney Pier Memorial Junior High. She loved her work, her colleagues and, her students. During her early years of teaching, she also enjoyed Tuesday Night Bowling with the Sydney Women’s League.
In her younger years, she was often seen to be walking the length and breadth of Sydney, with her dog, both adorned with the Toronto Maple Leaf sweaters that she had knit. There was little dearer to her than walking the trails of Ingonish and/or relaxing to the subtle strains of Gaelic and Cape Breton music. In fact, she spent a summer at the Gaelic College in St Anne’s where she had woven a Mac Lean tartan kilt. She cherished her Celtic heritage having been born to parents whose first language was Gaelic.
During her first year of teaching, she met her future husband, Cameron Gerard Sears Sr. (deceased) at a Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union meeting. Both were very active in the union during their careers and in their faith life. They had four children: namely, Catherine (Tat) Sears, Cameron Gerard Sears Jr. Sharon Marie Sears (deceased), and Joseph Gerard Sears. Her grandchildren, Brandon (Alaina) Sears, Garrett (Tara) Sears, Hannah Teresa Sears, Josie Sears and John Sears were the brightest lights in her life. Any news or visits, concerning them, always brought a smile to her face and heart. Her joy could not be measured. She had hoped to meet her great grandson, Casey, but time would not allow.
She was predeceased by her parents, Daniel and Teresa (Mac Neil) MacLean, her husband Cameron, her daughter, Sharon Sears, and siblings Michael (Shirley) Mac Lean, Malcolm Mac Lean, Johnny Mac Lean, Mary Mac Lean, and Margie Mac Lean. She is survived by her sister, Christine (Simon) McGean. (deceased).
We would be remiss if we were not to thank Dr Andrew Giorno, the staff of 4B, and Dr Susan Mac Leod for their care and compassion. We would also like to express our deepest sense of gratitude to Dr Anne Francis D’Intino and the staff at Cape Breton Hospice for the profoundly kind caring that was offered. Our deepest thanks are extended to Fr. Bill Burke for his kindness and support through the journey. We could not ask for better care. Thank you, all. She will be forever missed and never forgotten; until we meet again
There will be a visitation at TW Curry Parkview Chapel from 3-6pm on Monday, January 29. The Funeral Mass will be held at St Marguerite Bourgeoys Church on Tuesday January 30th, at 11am, with Fr. Bill Burke officiating. Burial will take place in Resurrection Cemetery in Sydney Forks. To share memories and condolences please visit www.twcurry.com
