Obituary of Mary Agnes MacDougall

MacDougall, Mary Agnes; It is with a sense of profound sadness and tangible loss that we announce the passing of our Mom, Mary (Duggan) MacDougall of The Heights, Antigonish. Honoring her wishes, she passed at home surrounded by her loving family, on May 23, 2014. Born in Antigonish on January 18, 1920, Mary was the daughter of Christina (MacPherson) and Tom Duggan. She lived the entirety of her life in Antigonish. In terms of her life, first and foremost, Mary was the kind of mother that books and prose are written about. Selfless, loving and loyal with a sense of fun that assured her multi-generation family enjoyed every opportunity to spend time in her company. Known widely as a gifted baker, having made her first fruitcake at the age of 9 years, Mary was most happy when she was in her kitchen. She was a person of integrity and was innately inclusive in every sense of the word. She was a pacifist by nature, but was a fierce champion of her family. Mary opened her home and her heart to all who either cared to, or needed to seek shelter in either of those safe havens. She had strength beyond measure, which may have been best exemplified in the final months of her life when upon receiving her terminal diagnosis on the eve of her 94th birthday committed to her "kids", "don’t worry, I’ll battle it"; and she did so, as she had lived her life, with courage, with grace, without complaint and with a smile on her beautiful face caring only that she protected her family throughout. Mary was a person of strong faith faith in God, in her family, in humankind, and even in the Leafs until the very end. For an ordinary person, she was in fact quite extraordinary, though in life she never fully understood how exceptional she was. Fortunately, we who are left behind know and will treasure her for that always. She is survived by a family devastated by the hole left by her absence but comforted in knowing the hole will soon be replenished by cherished memories and by the love she bestowed upon each of us: daughters Eileen (Phonse) Chiasson, Sydney; Gail MacDougall, Antigonish; Rita Lyn (Ian) Spencer, Antigonish; Bernice (Mark) Valvasori, Hamilton; Patricia (Dave) Comeau, Dartmouth; Arminta Mahoney, Antigonish, Dorothy MacDougall, Antigonish, and by son John MacDougall, Antigonish; brother James (Jimmy) Duggan; sister Tena Sharpe; grandchildren Stephen (Lydia), Lesley (Cory), Annette; Geoff (Stephanie), Matt, Kara (Yemi), Chris (Julie); Mark (Melyssa), Gillian, Lauren; Jen (Crispin); Kristie (Peter), Jessica, Laura (Aaron), Amy; and by 11 great-grandchildren. Mary was predeceased by the genuine love of her life, John (Johnnie) James MacDougall, with whom she will be so happy to be reunited; by her sister Anna Michaud, her half-sister Margaret (Peg) Brennan, and her son-in-law Ian Spencer. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to MacIsaac Funeral Home in Antigonish – with visitation on Sunday, May 25 – from 2:00-4:00; and 7:00-9:00. Funeral Mass to be held on Monday, May 26 at 11:00 at St. Ninian’s Cathedral, Antigonish with Rev. Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the Parrish Cemetery. Should you wish donations in Mary’s memory to either the VON or Palliative Care – or to the charity of your choice. Good night Mom – with eternal love and gratitude.