Obituary of Anne Marie Cameron

Following a cancer diagnosis and summer of unexpected insurmountable medical issues, Anne Marie Cameron passed away peacefully surrounded by her children in the Palliative Care Unit of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital on September 21st, 2023.

Born on September 4th, 1943, Anne Marie was the oldest of four children born to Jimmy (James) Chisholm and Christina (MacMaster). Growing up on her parents’ farm in Brierly Brook, Antigonish, Anne Marie shouldered much responsibility from an early age, becoming a care-giver for her ailing grandfather when she was only seven. At her mother’s side she learned how to bake a perfect pie as well as the art of feeding large numbers of people. Her fondest childhood memories were of “when the cousins would come home for hay making season”. Caring for the sick and nourishing a crowd were her obvious talents which she shared generously and continuously to many throughout her life. The impeccable care she gave for 25 years to her late son, Ian Cameron, was especially evident and commended by staff at the IWK.

Anne Marie married Bob Cameron when she was 22. Their relationship was a hard working partnership filled with quick wit and lively conversation. After working briefly at the St. Martha’s lab, she took to the task of raising three children, helping her husband with his business, and offering her remarkable energy to her family, church and community.  She was a dedicated 50 year member of the St. Andrews C.W.L. where she was called upon on many occasions to conviene events. Her organizational skills and ability to work with others with vitality and humour were evident to her peers and her decorating skills were greatly appreciated by those attending various events in St. Andrew’s.  Many in her neighbourhood and community  have been the recipients of her visits, sweets and dinners during their own time of need.   

The true lights of her life were her grandsons, who she nurtured with the same adoration with which she tended her flowerbeds. She will be dearly missed.  

She is predeceased by her husband, Robert Cameron, son Ian Cameron, sister Bonnie Chisholm, brothers Jim and John Chisholm.

Anne Marie is survived by her son, David Cameron, daughter-in-law, Carla (Cameron), daughter, Christine MacIsaac, grandchildren, Owen and Ian Cameron, sisters-in-law Arletta Holledge and Marlene Cameron, first cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street, Antigonish, on Sunday, September 24th, 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 25th at 11am in St. Andrew’s Church, St. Andrews with Reverend Dennis Lamey presiding. Burial will follow in the South River Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the neighbours, friends, community and family members who regularly called in concern, tended to and visited Anne Marie over the past difficult weeks. We would also like to thank cleaners, hospital musicians and patient sitters at St. Martha’s for their helpfulness and genuine concern, as well as Dr.Jane Ann Howard and the palliative care team for their professionalism and compassion.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Andrew’s Community Center.