Obituary of Irene Harris

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Irene Harris, age 105, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital., Sydney. Born in Inverness, Irene was the daughter of the late John Dan MacDonald and Mary Sara MacNeil (MacIsaac) and stepfather, John Dan MacNeil. A devout Roman Catholic, Irene was very active in the Catholic Woman’s League (St. Joseph Parish, Sydney) and the Spring Garden Villa, Sydney. She is survived by her sons, Phil (Audrey) and Brian (Lorraine), both of Sydney; grandchildren, Ashley (Scott) MacEachern, Leah (Peter) Unsworth, Tanya (David McDonald) Johnston, Josh (Lauren MacIntyre) Harris and Jenna (Kendall) McNeil; and great-grandchildren, Kayla McDonald and Georgia Unsworth. Besides her parents, Irene was predeceased by her husband, Henry Edward Harris, and stepbrother, Donald James MacNeil. By far, Mom’s greatest pride and joy was her family who she loved and cared for until the end. There was not a night Mom did not go to bed without saying a prayer for someone, and at some point in time, each and every family member gained the benefit from one of those prayers. Anyone who was lucky enough to have Mom as a friend, knew that they had a friend for life. They knew they could count on her for a shoulder to cry on and as someone they could always confide in. In another life, Mom could have easily been a counselor given all the advice she handed out over the years. She lived a simple life and always thought people should not be judged by the amount of money in their wallet, but more by the amount of love in their heart. Although Mom lived a long and wonderful life, it never seems long enough. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten by all those who loved her. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, N.S., 902-539-7175. A visitation will take place in the funeral home on Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 1-2 pm followed by a Celebration of Life in the Chapel, Fr. Conrad Edwards officiating with a reception to be held afterward. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit (Cape Breton Regional Hospital). A very special thank you to Dr. Carol Critchley for her years of caring, plus the doctors, nurses and staff of 4C and An cala Palliative Care. Words of condolence may be made to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.