Obituary of Julia Anastasia MacMillan

September 15, 1931 - February 12, 2023

Age 91, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2023, at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home.  Born in Merland, Julia was the youngest daughter of the late Owen and Annie (Haley) Wallace.

Mom loved the simple things and enjoyed nothing more than a hot cup of tea, the occasional scratch ticket, a game of 45s (when she was winning), a delicious meal filled with vegetables from Tommy’s garden, and listening to Scottish Strings. She also enjoyed her many trips and outings with our Dad’s sister, Isobel, especially to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré; her excursions to Toronto to visit her son, Ambrose; and her annual birthday journeys with daughter Donna that usually included some celtic music along the way.

Before her marriage to our Dad, Hugh, Mom worked as a housekeeper at St. FX and on Via Rail. In later years she was a caring and compassionate live-in helper for elderly people in the Antigonish area.

A member of the St. Andrew’s Parish, she was a devout Catholic and her faith in God gave her strength and peace to the end.

She is survived by eight children: Gerard, Ambrose, Roderick (Marion), Margaret (Andrew) MacMaster, Tommy, Theresa Ann, Darlene, Donna (Torin); eleven grandchildren: Jason, Ambrose, Ryan, Evan, James, Danielle, Kathleen, Astoria, Phaedra, Dylan, and Carson; and eleven great grandchildren. Mom also leaves behind her last surviving sibling, Brother Thomas Wallace, O.S.A, Marylake, Ontario.  

She was predeceased by her husband of almost 50 years, Hugh; sons Bernard and Robert; her step mother, Vertie (Greencorn) Wallace; and six brothers and five sisters.

Our thanks to the R.K. staff for showing Mom much kindness and caring over the past two years, with a special thank you to the staff of Tanglewood.

There will be no visitation. Funeral mass will be held in St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, St. Andrew’s on Thursday, February 16 at 11am, Father Charlie Cameron presiding. Reception to follow at the St. Andrew’s Community Center. Burial in the parish cemetery at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of MacIsaac Funeral Home, Antigonish. Memorial donations may be made to the CNIB or the charity of your choice.