Obituary of Valerie Anne MacIsaac

The family of Valerie MacIsaac mourn the loss of their loving mother and Nana.  She will be dearly missed by her husband of 55 years Allan MacIsaac, her children Allana (Kevin Gilfoy), Shaunna (Jim Shaw), Allan Brent (Sandra Northcott), Brian (Sarah Racicot), Leanne (Andy Delorey), Bradley, Bobby, and Heather.

Born in Sydney, Cape Breton, she was a daughter of the late Marguerite and Stanley MacGillivary.  In Valerie's heart she was always a proud Cape Bretoner who cherished her visits home to see her family. The annual  Boxing Day visit to Cape Breton will stay a treasured memory in her children's hearts.  After graduating from Holy Angels High School at 17, she worked at Maritime Tel and Tel as an operator while waiting until she was  old enough to enter nursing school.   She came to Antigonish to attend St Martha's School of Nursing and graduated in 1963.  She maintained a lifelong friendship with her classmates from the "Mighty 36".  Even in her illness,  one of her weekly highlights was her Friday luncheon with her nursing friends at the Maritime Inn.  

Although she loved her job as a Registered Nurse, she chose to stay at home and raised her family of eight children.  She was involved in all aspects of her children's life and took great pride in all their accomplishments. She was happiest when her house was full of  family.  Her time was filled with watching highland dancing, hockey, soccer and basketball games, music festivals and piping competitions and all the driving to get her children and later grandchildren to where they needed to be.  Nana's taxi's meter was always running.  

Valerie was one of the founding members of the Antigonish Highland Dancing Association and devoted many volunteer hours to local dance competitions. She loved to watch the dancing but could not be found when the sword dance was being danced.  She would sit for hours in the blazing sun to watch  the Antigonish Highland Games which was a highlight of her summer.  She would not leave until the last pipeband left the field from the massed bands.

 
Valerie used her ability to converse with all, in her years as the receptionist at her daughter Allana's office.  She knew where everyone was from, even the couriers, and if they were from Cape Breton knew their family history.  She left the office to take on the important role of caring for her grandchildren. 
Her love and compassion  for animals led to her involvement with  local animal rescue  organizations.  No cat in her neighbourhood was left unfed and she enjoyed the friendships of her  fellow volunteers. Wherever she went, she was adored and followed by her four footed friends.   

Nana's later years were spent with her greatest joy--her Grandchildren. She had a natural way with children and could calm the most upset child.  She had her own repertoire of songs that she sang as she rocked her children and grandchildren, and these songs have been passed on to the next generation.  She will be fondly remembered by her beloved grandchildren, Shainah, Heather, Andrew, Brett, Julia, Erin, Sophie, Allie, Nicholas, Camryn, Keilan, Mia, and Maddox.
Valerie was predeased by her parents Marguerite and Stanley MacGillivary and her step father Max Buffett.  She is surived by her siblings Joan (late George) Campbell , Elaine (late Dave) MacEachern, Delores (Gary) Horne, Gordon (Suzanne) MacGillivary , and Wayne (Delores) MacGillivary. 

The family will receive family and friends on Friday, April 26, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in MacIsaac Funeral Home in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.  A funeral service celebrating Valerie's life will be held on Saturday, April 27  at 11am in St. Ninian's Catherdral, Rev. Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery.   
Donations in Valerie's memory can be made to an animal charity of your choice. www.MacIsaacs.ca
 

In mom's words, "This too shall pass and tomorrow will come."