Mary Ellen MacEachern

Sydney

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing our dear sister, Mary Ellen MacEachern, on July 6, 2017, surrounded in the love of her family and friends.

Leaving this life as she lived it, on her own terms, Mary Ellen returned to God having never surrendered and remaining fiercely independent to the end. With the strength and the heart of a lion, Mary Ellen lived her life with passion, persevering through 8 years of medical interventions which saved her life and presented her with challenges that would break a lesser being.

A remarkable woman with an intuitive, generous and kind nature, Mary Ellen was the person that so many - friends, family and acquaintances- turned to in times of difficulty and despair. Even while living with her own suffering, Mary Ellen would listen with genuine empathy and affection.

Mary Ellen truly enjoyed the company of family and friends, always ready to use her brilliant mind and quick wit in a vibrant discussion or debate, at the Scrabble table or in a game of Tarbish. Her sense of humour was infectious and she brought great joy to so many who crossed her life path.

Mary Ellen grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia and attended Sydney Academy, St. F.X (Sydney Campus), University of King’s College and the University of Nice, France. She was employed by the Community Association of Community Living, CJFX Radio as a newscaster, University of College of Cape Breton and most recently as Director of Student Employment and Co-Operative Education at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS. Over the years she served on numerous committee’s inclusive of Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services from 1998-2005 and the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education.

Mary Ellen was pre-deceased by her parents, Donald and Helen MacEachern, and brother, Harvey Scott MacEachern.

She is survived by brothers, Bernie, (Norma), Ennismore, ON, Michael (Joan), Westmount, NS and Ronnie, Sydney, NS, and sisters, Catherine (Jean Boudreau), Charlottetown, PE and Joan, Charlottetown, PE; niece, Mary Ellen Kathleen Boudreau, Charlottetown, PE, and nephews, Murray Hart, Ottawa, ON and Gary Hart, Toronto, ON; uncle, Gerald ‘Bucky’ (Helen) Gallant, Sydney NS; aunts, Anna Gallant, Sydney, Claire MacEachern, Halifax and Theresa MacEachern, Minneapolis, and uncle, Larry Leahy, Idaho. Mary Ellen is also survived by many cousins and close friends.

As per Mary Ellen’s request, there will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12 at St. Theresa’s Church, Whitney Avenue, Sydney, NS with Fr. D. Lamey officiating. Reception to follow at St. Theresa’s Church Hall on St. Peter’s Road, Sydney, NS. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton, Sydney, NS: Franciscans of Halifax, Halifax, NS or Feed Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com.

“Forever in our Hearts.”