Obituary of Jennie Macquarrie

On Wednesday, July 13, 2016, we lost our mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She passed away peacefully at home where she lived for the past 71 years. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Born at Keppoch, Antigonish County, Jennie Gillis was the daughter of John Hugh and Mary (MacLean) Gillis. At the age of 22, she met the love of her life, Angus Allan Macquarrie, at a dance in Pleasant Valley. They married in 1945 and continued to dance for the next 54 years. They raised 9 children, including two sets of twins. She and her husband, Angus, welcomed many new members to their family, all of whom Mom considered to be her own. A kind, gentle and gracious lady, Jennie exemplified humility, beauty, elegance and love without boundaries. She cherished visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and welcomed them with, "Come, give Grammie a hug". A devout Catholic, she had a special devotion to the Holy Rosary which she recited many times a day. She considered her marriage and family her greatest accomplishment - next to her game of Auction 45. Her door was always open to anyone with the kettle ready for tea. She loved baking bread and biscuits, right up to the day of her death. She was strong in faith, positive in outlook and took pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She was an inspiration to her family. She is survived by her children sons: Marcie (Cabrini), Halifax; John (Ann) Doctor's Brook; Allan (Francine), Halifax and Paul, Doctor's Brook; Daughters: Anne (Rick) Cluett, Port Hawkesbury; Joan (David) Crawford, Doctor's Brook; Catherine (Scott) Grady, Summerside, PEI; Janice, Antigonish and Paula, Doctor's Brook; Grandchildren: Hector (Alex) Macquarrie, Alison (Glenn Tindle) Macquarrie, Sheena Macquarrie, Meaghan Macquarrie; Sara (Brad) Proctor, Jenny (Kenneth) MacKenzie, Allan Cluett; Dawn (Tom) MacLellan, Jared (Melinda) Crawford, Jody (Danielle) Crawford; Rachel and Josie Macquarrie; Jaye Lee (Neal Morrison) Grady, Jillian (Troy) McArthur, Jonathan (Candice) Grady, Alex (Jill Arsenault) Grady; Madison, Victoria & Emma Macquarrie; Great-grandchildren: Isla and Isabel Macquarrie; Ava, Angus and Emelia Proctor; Cory, Ryan and Ben MacLellan; Colin and Sadie Crawford; Reid and Annie Joan Crawford; Henry McArthur and Jackson Grady. She is also survived by her foster brother, Roy Jackson (Lee); sisters-in-law Sadie Macquarrie, Eileen (John Alex) Gillis and Mary (Ranald) Gillis and many nieces and nephews. A special mention for her dear friend and caregiver, Mary 'R.R.' (MacEachern) MacGillivary who treated Mom like her own mother. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Angus Allan, son Joseph, great-grandsons Gus McArthur and Angus Crawford; siblings Hugh Duncan, Ranald, John Alex and Joseph Gillis; Marie MacDonald and Isobel Chisholm. Her parents, John Hugh and Mary (MacLean) Gillis and parents-in-law Angus Hector & Mary Elizabeth (Gillis) Macquarrie; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Gertie Macquarrie. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 pm Sunday, July 17 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass 11:00 am Monday, July 18 in St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Arisaig, Rev. Colin MacKinnon presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Margaret of Scotland Cemetery Fund or the Peggy Scott Foundation of Arisaig, NS.