Obituary of Jean Margaret MacGillivray

Jean MacGillivray (nee Delaney) of Lakevale passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025 in St Martha’s Regional Hospital. Born in New Glasgow, NS on October 29, 1942 to Nicholas and Anna (McCarron) Delaney, she was the last remaining member of her immediate family.

Jean’s mother passed away two years after her birth, and her father was in the Veteran’s Hospital in Halifax, which led to her living in St.Patrick’s orphanage in Halifax for her childhood years. The Johnston family of New Glasgow opened their hearts and home to her, which allowed her to complete her high school years there. They became true family.

Jean moved to Antigonish to become a nurse, which is where she met Charlie Joe. They married in 1964, and settled into a new home that Dad built on Xavier Drive. The neighborhood was more like an extended family, with lifelong friendships that have carried into the next generations.

Family life was busy, and Mom paused her nursing career. There was lots of time spent travelling to Highland Dancing competitions and Minor Hockey tournaments, and she became a Girl Guide leader. Summers were spent at the cottage at Bay Loch which became Mom and Dad’s full time home in retirement. Hosting family and friends for beachside lunches and dinners was her favorite thing to do, and she relished having a gathering place for her nursing classmates each summer. She was an avid seamstress, and specialized in making beautiful coats, complete with hand embroidery. She taught sewing lessons and took great delight in seeing her students’ works on display at Fall Fair competitions.

Charlie passed away too soon, in 2004. The years afterward were difficult for Mom, as she missed him tremendously. She spent her summers at Bay Loch, and winters in Largo, FL, where she found a new community and made many friends at her home in Vacation Village. Her most joyous role was being Nana to her two granddaughters.

Jean also had a passion for the Cooperative movement, locally and on a larger scale. She was President of the Board of Directors at Braemore Co-op, and of Co-op Atlantic for many years. She was on the Board of the Co-op Union of Canada as well, which led to her participation in several international Trade Missions. She travelled to China, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Antigua, which were incredible experiences. 

She was predeceased by her husband Charlie Joe, her parents (Nicholas and Anna) and two siblings (Ellen and Richard), sisters-in-law Anna Claire, Doris and Mary, brother-in-law Ronald as well as Keith, Colleen and Guy Johnston. 

She is survived by her children Ann (Robert) Peet, Spruce Grove AB; John, Toronto ON; Catty (Steven) Nault, granddaughters Charlie and Chloe Nault, Kanata ON; and Brother-in-law  Fr. Angus MacGillivray. She is also survived by Wayne (Adele) Johnston, Kathryn (Phillip) Bubar, Judy (late Guy) Johnston and Sherry (Jamie) Cheek, and many nieces and nephews in the MacGillivray and Johnston families.

We are forever grateful for the love shown by her neighbors and friends. Special thanks to Donna and John Robertson, Colleen and Mark Boyd and Dr. Mike and Heather Silver. Mom received wonderful care from Dr. Steve Gallant and the doctors and nurses of the Intensive Care unit at St. Martha’s.

At Mom’s request, there will be no visitation. Funeral services to be held at 2:00 pm, on Wednesday, May 21 in St. Columba Church, Lakevale, Fr. Andrew Boyd presiding. Reception to follow at the Mini-Trail community centre. Burial in St. Ninian’s Cemetery.