Obituary of Mary Anne Rankin

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, Mary Anne Rankin (MacDonald). She died as she wished, at home, peacefully and with dignity in the embrace of her daughters on Thursday, June 9th 2022 in Halifax at age ninety-seven. Mary was born on July 18th, 1924 in Judique Intervale, NS. She was a daughter to the late Archie J. and Christy Belle (MacDonald) MacDonald. She married her love Donald Roddie who preceded her in death in 2000. Mary is survived by her beloved daughters Rhodena and Chrisanna and her beloved sister, Catherine MacDonald and many nieces and nephews. All of these she loved and touched deeply. She gave us soothing motherly protection and was always there when we needed her. Family, friends, honesty, integrity, happiness, kindness, and compassion was a way of life for our mother. Mary’s indomitable spirit encouraged her family and friends to persist in the face of struggles. She was always there to brighten the lives of others. She enjoyed life. Mary attended St. Joseph Convent, Mabou NS and Nova Scotia Normal Teachers College, Truro NS. It was while teaching in beautiful Mabou Harbour at Mabou Harbour Mouth School where she met her beloved husband, Donald Roddie. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, tending to her beautiful flower gardens, running Rankin’s Bed and Breakfast with her husband, Gaelic songs and classes and making her notorious ginger cookies. Mama made sure the cookie jar was never empty. She loved having visitors in her home and there was no scarcity of tea. Mama’s strong Catholic faith was always a great comfort to her, and she had a devotion to the rosary. Predeceased by beloved sisters, Peggy McLean, Mae Faye, Rachel MacIsaac and Mary Belle Bersuk and beloved brothers John Rory, James, Josie and Roddie MacDonald. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 25th at 11a.m. In St. Mary’s Catholic Church Mabou with celebrant Father Dan MacDonald. She will be interred with her husband in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Mabou. In lieu of donations, may we request random acts of kindness and expressions of gratitude to others in our mother’s memory. “What you do speaks so loudly that l cannot hear what you say.” Ralph Waldo Emerson