Obituary of Norreen MacAulay

Norreen Bernadette MacAulay was a caring mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. She left this world suddenly on August 25, 2023, at the age of 70. Born on March 2, 1953, at the Salvation Hospital in Sydney, Norreen was the daughter of the late Ben (Benedict) Dwyer and the late Loraine Bridgette Monahan. After marrying her former husband, Barry MacAulay, she had a son, Christopher Neil MacAulay, and a daughter, Melissa Anne MacAulay. She often told her friends that she had a “King’s Family”, being blessed with having both a son and a daughter. After starting her family, Norreen became the manager of Mary Brown’s Restaurant in Sydney. She was a respected manager who knew how to get the job done. Norreen loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family. She was involved in many fundraisers and volunteered her time with The Cape Breton Burn Victims Society. Neighborhood friends would gather around the kitchen table where they took turns perming each other’s hair, playing card games, and listening to Norreen’s stories about her childhood memories and places that she had travelled to. Later on, at her apartment complex, Norreen enjoyed sitting outside listening to music and telling jokes amongst her friends. She advocated for her friends who were going through a hard time by collecting donations and celebrating other people’s success. Norreen had a Big Heart and would do anything for family, friends and even strangers. She was very sociable and loved to chat amongst others and learn about their life. Her pastimes included calling Bingo at her apartment complex, attending family dinners at her son Christopher’s house, weekly shopping trips to town with her daughter Melissa, chatting on the phone and catching up on the latest news with her grandson, Matthew Dwyer. Her youngest grandson, Cael Edward, enjoyed going to town with his Nan. He was known by everyone to be the love of her life. Norreen is survived by son; Christopher Neil (Millie D’etcheverry) MacAulay, Glace Bay; daughter, Melissa Anne MacAulay, Caribou Marsh and her fur babies, Saffy and Ping; three brothers, Leo(Lynn) Dwyer, Alberta, Darrell (Leanna) Dwyer, Sydney River, and Bob (Ruth Madden) Dwyer. Norreen is also survived by four grandchildren; Matthew Dwyer, Ontario, Larissa (Andrew) Rodriguez, Glace Bay, Logan (Amanda) Anthony, Glace Bay, and Cael Edward, Glace Bay; one great-grandchild, River Rodriguez, Glace Bay; nephew, Derek Dwyer, P.E.I.; nieces, Shauna Dwyer, Ontario, Tiffany Dwyer, Alberta, Amanda Dwyer, New Ross, and Bridgette Dwyer, Sydney River. Norreen was predeceased by her brother Richard Dwyer, Ontario. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, 902-539-7175. Visitation will take place on Friday, Sept. 1, 12 – 2pm in T.J. Tracey Funeral Home, memorial service following at 2 pm in the Chapel, Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. In lieu of flowers please donate to Diabetes Canada. Words of condolence may be made to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.