15 November 2012
MacEachern (nee MacNeil), Joyce Marie, 85, of the Sherbrooke High Crest Nursing Home, formerly of Cape George, Antigonish Co. passed away peacefully on November 15, 2012.
Born in Sydney in 1927, she was the daughter of the late Gordon M (She was fond of saying that her father ‘was the best pal she ever had’) and Annie Laurie MacNeil. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Joyce leaves behind her loving children Reg (Darlene) of Cape George and Loretta of South Korea, and her granddaughter Alisha of Ottawa. Joyce is predeceased by her husband Austin and her brother Gordon. Joyce had a meaningful life affecting many in her role as teacher, caretaker/nurse, volunteer, President of the Altar Society and historian. She graduated from Normal College, Truro and held teaching positions in various places in Antigonish County. She taught at the old school house down at the Cape. She was always interested in her former pupils. Later in life she cared for the nuns at the Bethany Care Centre. She also played a large role in helping to establish the Mini Trail Library at the old school in Lakevale.
Joyce took great pride in her grandfather’s, father’s and brother’s service in Europe for our country during the Boer War, World War 1 and World War 2. This immense pride drove her to capture the history and heritage of things that mattered. Her book on the Holy Rosary Church, Cape George gives the historical events on how the Church was brought to Ballantynes Cove and the lives of the pastors who served the community for the first 100 years. Never without an opinion, whether you wanted it or not, Joyce had a love of the simple things in life, such as reading, puzzles and lexicon (with the late Terry Boyd). Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 pm Tuesday in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass 11:00am Wednesday in Holy Rosary Church, Cape George, Rev Evo DiPierro presiding. Burial in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Legion or the Holy Rosary Church, Cape George.