Obituary of Conradine (Connie) J. MacMillan (Cluett)

Conradine (Connie) J. MacMillan (Cluett), age 72, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024, at DePaul Hall (Caritas Residence) in Halifax, following a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease for over 30 years and more recently, Dementia. Born in Halifax on January 21, 1952, she was the eldest daughter of Roy (deceased) and Irene Cluett, beloved wife and best friend to Kenneth (Ken) MacMillan for more than 50 years, devoted mother to Michael (Melissa), Scott (Tracey), and David (Sarah), and loving Grammy to Cooper, Jackson, Sloane, Logan, Hermione, and Nathanial. Connie is also survived by her sisters, Susan Cole and Martha Dickie, her brother, Brian Cluett (Christiana), sisters-in-law, Linda MacDonald and Kathleen MacMillan, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Connie graduated from Queen Elizabeth High School in Halifax and attended the Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro. Her career was varied, including roles as a telephone operator and administrative assistant with MT&T, a Teacher's Assistant in Bridgewater, and an Administrative Assistant with the Nova Scotia Drama League, Ralph Connor Flooring in Halifax, the Learning Disabilities Association of New Brunswick in Fredericton, and the New Brunswick School Board in Moncton. Connie's passion for helping others was evident through her numerous volunteer activities. She taught prenatal classes to single mothers, served as a Group Committee member and uniformed leader (known as Bubbles) with Scouts Canada, and took on roles as a band mother, pizza lunch coordinator, choir mother, and library volunteer. She was also actively involved in various church groups wherever she lived. Her dedication to assisting those with learning disabilities was unwavering, and she held executive positions within Parkinson Support Groups in Halifax/Dartmouth, Fredericton, and Moncton. Connie participated in and organized Parkinson Superwalks for over 20 years, earning the status of "Super Star Walker." As a mentor for Parkinson's patients considering Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Connie drew from her own experience, having undergone two implants to help control her symptoms in 2011. Above all, Connie's greatest joy was her grandchildren. She loved reading to them and cherished every moment spent together. Even after her illness robbed her of the ability to speak clearly, her face would light up whenever they came to visit. Connie will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, mother-in-law, and friend. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of DePaul Hall for their compassionate care over the last 3 1/2 years. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 28th, at 2:00 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, 2187 Larry Uteck Boulevard, Bedford, N.S., with a reception and visitation to follow. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite local charity in Connie's name would be greatly appreciated.