Obituary of Heather MacSween

Heather MacSween Glace Bay It is with broken hearts that we regret to announce the death of our sister, Heather MacSween, age 70, on August 6, 2023. Heather was born to the late Mayme (MacKenzie) and Peter MacSween on September 15, 1952. She resided in Donkin and moved away at 20 years old to work in various cities across Canada and spent the last twenty years of her career in Toronto before retiring to Glace Bay in 2017. She is survived by her sisters Anne (Hughie MacDougall), Donkin, who was her caregiver during her illness, and Karen (Junior Boutilier), Port Morien. She is also survived by her much-loved nieces Erin Boutilier and Lindsay (Karl) Moore and nephews Chris MacDougall and Jamie (Nicole) Boutilier, grand nephews Carson and Cameron Boutilier, and grand nieces Charlotte and Sadie Moore. Heather is also survived by her best friend since childhood, Doreen Dillon. Thank you, Doreen, for your many visits and calls. Heather also leaves behind her precious companion of 23 years, her cat, Smokey, who has since been adopted by his “Aunt Karen” and has settled in and has become the boss of the house as he was at home with his mom. Heather was a true animal lover. She loved all creatures and cared for a colony of feral cats while living in Glace Bay. We’re sure these were the plumpest cats around! They never missed a meal and patiently waited every day for their breakfast and supper. If you were to look in Heather’s freezer at any given time during the winter months, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a dead bird in a match box awaiting a spring burial when the ground thawed. Heather always loved to have a good laugh, often at her own expense. She loved to cook, and had mountains of cookbooks, all in pristine condition. She enjoyed shopping and loved to accumulate craft supplies that were always added to her closet of good intentions. She loved to travel. England, and the dear friends she had there, always held a special place in her heart. The three sisters always enjoyed their road trips in the summer around the island where they shared lots of good food, laughs, and the occasional trail walk. Heather accepted her cancer diagnosis with courage and grace. She was an inspiration to us as she comforted us through her illness and never once questioned, “Why me?”. She was at peace with dying and was very thankful for the 6 years she had at home close to her family. We would like to thank Heather’s doctors and nurses (too many to mention) at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, Palliative Care at CBRH, VON, and 3 East Glace Bay General Hospital. Your care and compassion are greatly appreciated. Special thank you to Brett Gillis, Palliative Care Home Consult Nurse, for your guidance through this difficult time. Cremation has taken place. Visitation for Heather will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 1-2 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Bob Biggar officiating all taking place at T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, 902-849-4199.Burial in St.Luke’s Cemetery, Donkin. Memorial donations to the Cape Breton SPCA, Palliative Care, or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com “She died that day because her body served its purpose. Her soul had done what it came to do, learned what it came to learn, and then was free to leave.” – Garth Stein