Obituary of Mary Andrina Bekkers

With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Andrina (MacIsaac) Bekkers, on August 1, 2026 in Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.   

Mary was born in 1942, the eldest of twelve children, daughter of Daniel H. and Frances MacIsaac. Mary grew up in Brierly Brook, Antigonish. She graduated from the Nova Scotia Normal College and had a fulfilling career teaching elementary school children in Antigonish County. She was lovingly known as “Mrs. B” and the annual field trip to Bekkers farm was fondly remembered by students and teachers. 

Mary married Tony Bekkers in 1964 and together they raised four children on the family dairy farm. She had an industrious spirit fulfilled by making cheese and growing rhubarb in her famous rhubarb patch.  

Mary was creative and had countless talents. She made quilts to share with her community that were always bright and colourful. She was an excellent gardener, spending many hours making Lanark beautiful. She propagated oak acorns, made jam and jelly from her fruit patches, and was willing to tackle any project and teach others. She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those closest to her. 

Community and family was everything to Mary. She volunteered with her church parish, cemetery organization, hospital café, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Antigonish Skating Club, and spent countless hours making and delivering food to neighbours and friends.  She was a board member and the first female president of the Antigonish Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. 

We will miss Mary’s quick wit and the way she embraced life. She could always surprise us with a funny story. Mary was a sounding board for her family and friends who trusted her calm and steady advice. 

Mary is survived by her four children and their spouses, David and Denise Bekkers, Lanark; Andrew and Maria McCurdy, Beaver Brook; Gordon and Tara Bekkers, Antigonish Landing; Lisa and Greg Poehl, Valley; 11 beloved grandchildren, Adrienne, Rachael and Peter Bekkers, Therese, David, Christopher and Meaghan McCurdy, Baileigh and Mallory Bekkers, Benjamin and Kathryn Poehl, 11 brothers and sisters, Effie (Jim) Taylor, St. Andrew’s; Bernard (Ann), Ottawa; Gordon (Anne), Ottawa; Jessie, Dartmouth; Daniel (Gwen), Taylor’s Road; Anne (John) Boyd, Cribbons Point; Theresa (Randi) Fishleder, Carolina; Cabrini (Marcie) MacQuarrie, Arisaig; Cecelia Porter, Regina, Saskatchewan; Hector, Brierly Brook; and a large extended family.   

Mary was predeceased by her loving husband, Tony, their infant son, Steven Daniel Bekkers and her brother Kenzie MacIsaac.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Mary’s care team, especially Dr. Fogarty, Dr. Rice, Dr. Farrell and Jami Campbell, RN, and the Palliative Care Unit nursing team. The care and compassion provided to Mary and to her family in her final days will always be remembered.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-9 pm on Monday, August 3, 2026 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, August 4th in St. Ninian Cathedral, Reverend Danny MacLennan and Reverend Andrew Boyd con-celebrating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Ninian Cemetery Care Committee or the Antigonish Palliative Care Society.