It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Mother and Grandmother, Louise (Morrison) MacNeil. She passed away with family by her side on September 17, 2022 at Hospice Cape Breton, after a brief illness.
Mom was born on July 28, 1934 to Dan Joe and Mary Jane (MacNeil) Morrison in Sydney and spent her childhood on Glen Morrison Road, eventually moving to Morley Road. She spoke lovingly about her years there, regaling us and her grandchildren with many stories about the family farm and the close friends that lived nearby. It was very clear to all of us that her time at “the Meadows” was filled with much happiness and joy.
In 1952, after attending Holy Redeemer and Holy Angels High Schools, Mom moved to the Boston area at the young age of 17 and continued her schooling while living there. She held various jobs in the Newton area before eventually moving back to Sydney in 1957. Shortly after her return, she started working at Maritime Tel & Tel, where she enjoyed a long career until her retirement in 1994.
It was while working at MT&T that she met the love of her life, Mike (“Mick”) MacNeil. She and Dad had 43 wonderful years together before he passed away in 2005. They travelled many places near and far and shared a love for Scottish culture and music. Together Mom and Dad raised a family of four children – Glenn (Alison) in Halifax; Gerard in Sydney; Bruce (Tam) in Texas and Jane in Halifax. Mom and Dad built their home in Mira Road in 1968 and made many lifelong friends in the ‘housing group’. They considered it a wonderful place to raise us, and Mom continued to live there until her passing. She felt most comfortable when at home and loved having visitors. No one ever entered or left the house without a hug, and everyone left with a full stomach. There was always a cup of tea offered and a “God Bless”.
We were always aware of Mom’s love for us as her children, but we all agree that she absolutely adored her grandchildren. They were all her favourites and she doted on each one of them. She had always wanted to be called Seanmháthair (Gaelic for Grandmother), so the grandkids called her “Shenna”. It is because of Shenna that they know many Gaelic words – good and bad! Granddaughter Elizabeth MacNeil and grandsons Brett (Alexandra Oprea) MacNeil, Evan (Madison Snow) MacNeil, Ryan MacNeil, and Ben Gilson will all miss her terribly. Her love for them knew no boundaries and the feeling was wholeheartedly returned.
Also mourning Mom’s loss are her sisters Jessie O’Neill and Peggy MacDonald, sisters-in-law Betty Morrison, Eileen O’Flaherty, Finn MacNeil, Jean MacNeil, and Joanne Boudreau, brother-in-law Jim MacKinnon, many nieces and nephews, her Gilson, Gaede and Pham extended families, her neighbours from Mira Road and the many, many friends she made throughout her lifetime. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mom was predeceased by her brothers Donald, Neil, Rod and Alec Morrison, her sister Peggy MacNeil, her son-in-law Garfield Gilson, sisters-in-law Carmella Morrison, Florence Morrison, Agnes Boudreau, Dolena MacKinnon, Sadie Leudy, her brothers-in-law Gerald O'Neill, Mike MacNeil, Paul MacDonald, Arnie Leudy, Fikey MacNeil, John MacNeil, Sonny Boudreau and Paddy O'Flaherty.
Our family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the VON, Dr. Hiron Kettledas, Dr. Glen Worth, Dr. Monica Carrillo, Dr. Anne Frances D’Intino, and all the staff at Hospice Cape Breton. The kindness, caring and support shown to Mom and to us was nothing short of amazing.
Visitation to celebrate Mom’s life will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2022 between the hours of 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm at T.W. Curry’s funeral home in Sydney. The funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, September 26, 2022 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic church with a reception to follow. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Parish cemetery in East Bay after the reception. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mom’s memory may be made to Hospice Cape Breton, Loaves and Fishes Cape Breton, or a charity of choice.
