Obituary of Lola Marie MacInnis

Born to Ned and Sadie Sawyer in St. Peter’s, Cape Breton. Lola settled in Halifax with husband Lawrence and began working for MT&T. Later, while raising a large family, she began a long career with NS Power where she made many lifelong friendships. Lola (Nan) was always a social butterfly. From bowling in many leagues and camping throughout the summers with friends and family in tow, to hitting the dance floors with Lawrence (Popsie) at the likes of the Halifax, Newfoundland, and Canal Clubs. Mom was the ultimate entertainer, where friends and family could be found around the pool table, on the back deck and of course in the kitchen with country music playing in the background. Sundays were always special as we would gather to watch NASCAR, a sport mom picked up when she turned 60 selecting Jeff Gordon #24 as her driver. We would make appetizers to watch the race and then move on to making Sunday dinner for family and friends. Her favourite place to travel to on a regular basis was to Naples Florida spending time with her family going to the beach daily, sometimes staying to watch the beautiful sunsets (watch the ball drop). Christmas was mom’s favorite time of year, once the tree was up, gifts wrapped, and everything was decorated it was time for the best part, friends and family dropping in for some Christmas cheer. There would be a steady stream throughout the season, and she loved the gatherings, the music, serving up her wonderful lasagna, wishing for a light snow on Christmas eve, a surprise visitor, a long-distance call, the love, joy and laughter that Christmas brings she loved it all! Mom was the center of our solar system. She was the bright sun whom her seven children like planets, orbited around. Some of mom’s planets orbited nearby, while others orbited at a distance. Yet, all the planets always gravitated back to their sun. Nanny Lola, (Lala) loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren as much as they loved her, she spoiled them with her time, love, and favourite meals, always tucking a few dollars into their pockets when they weren’t looking, her searches that that special gift, cookies and treats to bring a smile. Mom truly loved being Nan. Mom’s struggle with dementia and later a stroke left her requiring full time care, which throughout, never lost her sense of humor and infectious laughter, she was well supported by her loving family and compassionate caregivers, notably Natasha Tarmey who became like family to all. Lola was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence; brother, Joe; sons in-law, Bob, Ed; and granddaughter, Sarah Marie, and she is survived by her seven children, Larry, Heather, Charlene, Debbie, Glenn, Paul, Shelley, 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Our universe has suddenly become darker without our bright sun. Rest in peace Mom. Private celebration of life to held at a later date.