Obituary of Susan McKinnon

Sue “Ma Sue” McKinnon Glace Bay It seems impossible to find the words to express the loss of a woman who meant so much to all those whose lives she touched. It is with saddened hearts we, the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, announce the passing of our beautiful Ma Sue on February 6, 2020 in the An Cala Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital surrounded in the love of her family. Ma Sue was born in Birch Grove to the late Julia and James Dearing and is the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was also predeceased by her loving sister Mae Cole, and brothers Harold and Raphael. As a young woman, Ma Sue worked as a Nursing Assistant at St. Joseph’s Hospital and MacGillivray Guest Home, caring for others was her great gift. While living in Glace Bay, she met and married the love of her life, Roy “Daddy Roy” McKinnon, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years. Daddy Roy predeceased her in 1999. Ma Sue and Daddy Roy had a beautiful relationship and were blessed with three children, Carol Gracie (Joseph),Dale Neville (Larry) and the late Roy “Buzz” (Rita Deveaux). Further happiness came with their grandchildren, Carol (Junior), the late Charlene (Michael), Pamela (Vadim) and Troy (Denise), and later their greatgrandchildren Devon and Dhane Morrison, Carli and Joey LaPierre, Victoria Gracie, Jacob, Joshua and Emma Gracie. Ma Sue maintained loving relationships with her many nieces and nephews who were all very special to her. Ma Sue had a wonderful sense of fun and adventure. She loved to travel with her friends and looked forward to her annual trips to The White Mountains and Bangor. She never failed to come home with a little something for everyone. The loss of this petite, soft spoken lady leaves a vast hole in the lives of all who knew her. Ma Sue was a woman filled with light, joy and boundless generosity. Her kitchen was a sanctuary to family, friends and neighbours alike who would leave nourished by her skilled cooking as well as her love and kindness. Any animal who arrived on her back porch could expect the same. She truly had, as they say, a heart of gold. Sue was a woman of great faith and a strong sense of community which she shared as a member of Holy Cross Parish Council and Ladies Axillary, Glace Bay General Hospital Axillary, Royal Canadian Legion Sydney Branch 12 Executive and the Marion Helpers Association. Every Friday, you would see her smiling face at the Gift Shop of the Glace Bay Hospital where she volunteered. Ma Sue is in the care of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists. Visitation for Ma Sue will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 2-4 and 6-8 at Holy Cross Parish in the church. A funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2020 at Holy Cross Parish, Seaview St., Glace Bay. Interment will take place at a later date in Forest Haven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the An Cala Unit Palliative Care, CBRH or Holy Cross Parish. Ma Sue lived a simple life but gave extraordinary love and we are all the better for having known her. She will be dearly missed. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.tjracey.com