Obituary of Catherine Ann Theresa MacKenzie

Catherine Ann Theresa (Gillis) MacKenzie passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024 in the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home. Catherine was born at home in Arisaig, NS, on February 9, 1927 to Mary Ann (Macdonald) and Lauchlin Gillis.

Catherine became an accomplished cook and seamstress at a young age. She sewed her own wedding dress for her marriage to John MacKenzie of Morristown in September of 1962. Catherine was fond of her pets and there were always dogs and cats in the household. She maintained a small herd of cattle all her life.

Catherine was a dedicated member of both St. Margaret of Scotland parish, Arisaig and St. Columba parish, Lakevale. She was a dedicated member of ladies guild. Catherine donated many hours to church and community functions.

Catherine was well accustomed to traditional music in her home and in church. She spent some of her happiest times singing with a group called the Bonnie Blends choir. She participated in the St. Columba chorus and the North Shore Marian Choral Group.

Catherine maintained her native Gaelic language and was visited several times over the years by Gaelic students and speakers of Gaelic interesed in having conversations with her.

It was not easy raising her sons alone following the death of her husband in 1970. However, Catherine strove to give her sons a sense of optimism, faith and honesty to carry with them all their lives.

She is survived by her sons John Gillis MacKenzie (Kerry) and Owen MacKenzie (Traci) and cherished friend, Peggy Boyd. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband, John MacKenzie; brothers Wilfred Gillis and Donald Stephen Gillis (in infancy).

The family wishes to thank all the staff of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home for taking such good care of Catherine for the last five years, and especially for the comfort and support shown to our family during her passing. Thank you to Dr. Cudmore for caring for Catherine over the past three decades as well as the other doctors in the practice who visited her at the R.K.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Wednesday, May 29th in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street. Funeral mass will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, May 30th in St. Columba Church, Lakevale, Reverend Andrew Boyd presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home.