Obituary of Catherine Isabel MacDonnell

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the death of Catherine Isabel (MacPhail) MacDonnell, 87, of St. Andrews, Antigonish Co., N.S. Catherine passed away in the early hours of December 4, 2021, with her loving family by her side, in St. Martha's Regional Hospital.

Catherine was born in Fraser's Grant and was the eldest daughter of the late John and Christina (Punch) MacPhail. Catherine was a woman who had many passions. First and foremost, she was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word, a housekeeper at St.F.X. for over ten years, a member of the Oak and Owl Club, and St. Andrew's CWL, for over 50 years, a card shark, avid radio bingo player, washer toss champ and a true sports fan from hockey to curling, but her favourite games to watch were the ones her children played. Catherine was quiet but she was everyone's number one cheerleader. However, her true passion and greatest accomplishment was her family. A devoted wife, mother and nana, family was everything to Catherine.

The family would like to thank all of Catherine's caregivers, Caitlin, Bev, Donna, Anna, Heather, Judy, Julie and Bailey, with whose dedication and support allowed her to stay in the comfort of her own home for as long as she was able. We would also like to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit in St. Martha's Hosptial for their care and compassion and for making her final days as comfortable as possible.

Catherine is survived by her children, Joe (Claire), St. Andrews; Donna (Gary) Lund, Goshen; Leona (Jerry) Duykers, Goshen; Janice (Wally) Fortune, Fall River; grandchildren Alexandra (Cory), Chantelle (Jeff), Kaitlin, Walter, Jerry and Lisa, sisters Jean Grant, Ontario; Theresa Grace and Anna MacPhail, Antigonish, brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald MacDonnell, Theresa MacPhail, Anne MacPhail, Donna Chisholm, Mary Gillis, Theresa (Nick) Landry and Joan Chisholm as well as her many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Alex MacDonnell, siblings Billy, Danny, Jerome, Allan and Elaine as well as her brothers and sisters-in-law Rory Grant, Doug Grace, John A. and Allan MacDonnell, D.C. Gillis, Bernie Chisholm, Sadie (Angus) MacDonald, Rowena MacPhail, Kay (Charlie) Landry and Anita MacDonnell.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-9 pm Tuesday, December 7, 2021 in MacIsaac Funeral Home. Funeral Mass 11 am Wednesday in St. Andrew's Church, St. Andrews, Rev. Andrew Gillies presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. Proof of Vaccination and photo ID are required to attend. Masks are also required. Donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. www.MacIsaacs.ca