Obituary of Eileen Marie Forrester

It is with broken hearts that we, the Forrester family, announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, and mentor, Dr. Eileen Marie (Pottie) Forrester, 74, of Sydney, NS, who passed away peacefully on Monday, January 13, 2025, in the An Cala unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Sydney, Eileen was the daughter of the late Captain Joseph Daniel (J.D.) Pottie and Eileen Mae (Brackett) Pottie. Eileen was a true Highland Warrior who battled many health issues over the years and always did so with a positive perspective, quick wit, love of music and dance, and a deeply rooted faith. Of course, it goes without saying, that her love for enjoying (and adjudicating) a strong Sword Dance was nothing short of therapeutic for her. Her unwavering love for her family, dancers, our culture, and community carried her throughout the many health and mobility issues, challenges, and adversity she faced, which would certainly not be easy for anyone, especially a dancer. Music and dance were Eileen’s saving grace and her passion for both kept her spirit, optimism, and zest for life going for so long. As a founding member of the Cape Breton Chorale, Eileen was a dedicated and enthusiastic contributor and found a trusted and loyal friend in its director, the late Sister Rita Clare. In fact, Sister Rita was by Eileen’s bedside for many years, supporting her through her medical journey and recovery. Eileen began teaching dance in 1965. During her amateur dance career, she was a champion highland dancer winning many awards, scholarships, and bursaries. To this day, Eileen is the only Cape Breton dancer to win the prestigious Mary Dundas Memorial award three consecutive times, for the most proficient sword dance. Mary Dundas was a former world-class champion who took an early interest in Eileen and instructed her many times. Eileen has trained over 50 teachers of dance, some of whom now have their own dance schools, both locally and abroad. Eileen’s professional credentials and awards include: • Fellow of the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD) • Member of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance (SDTA) • Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing Adjudicator’s Panel • Member ScotDance Canada • Member Dance Nova Scotia • Women in Business Pinnacle Award • Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame • Board Member Caper Radio CJBU107.3 FM • Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, from Cape Breton University At age 9, Eileen won an audition for commercials broadcast during the NHL’s "Hockey Night in Canada" and sponsored by Imperial Esso. She also did commercials for Hamilton's Biscuits. Some of her early performances were on the popular television shows "Down Cape Breton Way" with the late Lloyd McInnis, and "Cape Breton Ceilidh", as well as the national show "Ceilidh" with Allistar McInnis of Scotland. She was also a showcased dancer on the local television show, “Bob’s Go-Go Beat” and a veteran cast member of Cape Breton’s “Rotary Show”. While she was in middle school at Park Jr. High, Eileen auditioned for, and was chosen, to be part of the inaugural Beinn Bhreagh Chorale, a 20-voice female choir directed by Jean Taylor. In 1967, at age 17, Eileen performed at Expo '67 as both a dancer and singer and was invited to Ottawa’s Parliament Hill for a solo dance performance. Eileen also represented Nova Scotia that same year, in Newfoundland, for "Centennial Celebrations". Eileen’s early teachers were her two older sisters, Sandra (a highland dancer and Pipe band drummer), and Faye (a highland dancer and bagpiper). Much of Eileen’s professional dancing has been guided by former world Highland Dance Champion, Sandra Bald Jones of Scotland, now living in Ontario. Eileen’s mother, the late Eileen Pottie, was instrumental behind the scenes, instilling and promoting the love of Scottish dance. It is this same love and passion that Eileen worked tirelessly to pass on to each and every one of her dancers who have come and gone throughout the years. Eileen, her late mother, her sisters, and now her daughters, have been dedicated to preserving Celtic dance culture on Cape Breton Island for over 70 years. Eileen was the first officially licensed teacher of highland dance on Cape Breton Island as well as the first Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing Adjudicator on the Island, which enabled her to adjudicate highland dance competitions worldwide - across Canada, the United States, and the Commonwealth Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1973, Eileen and her dancers were invited by the Minister of State’s office to partake in the first Multicultural Festival ever held in Canada, which took place in Ottawa. It proved to be a wonderful and inspiring event, performing alongside Cape Breton's own Rita MacNeil. In 1980, Eileen’s dancers were the first group of Highland Dancers from Eastern Canada to tour the British Isles, an incredible honour for Eileen and her young dancers. In 1985, Eileen formed “The Cape Breton Bicentennial Dancers” to commemorate Sydney’s bicentennial year and was invited to perform throughout Scotland and England for a worldwide multicultural festival. In 1987, Eileen and her dancers were invited as Canada's representatives at the World Folklore Festival in Drummondville, Quebec. That same year, they were invited for a second tour of Scotland where Eileen was also asked to adjudicate the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Another highlight for her that year was being the Highland Dance Choreographer for the opening ceremonies of the Jeux Canada Games held here in Cape Breton. In 1988, Eileen organized a benefit concert at Centre 200 in Sydney, NS, for local steelworkers, who were on strike at the time. While she was organizing the concert and coordinating musicians, dancers, and multiple other acts, the strike had come to an end. Although the strike had ended, Eileen was adamant about raising money for the steelworkers and their families to support them while their pay and benefits were transitioning, feeling that even though the strike had ended, the need remained. This sold-out concert went on to raise over $25,000, directly benefitting the steelworkers and their families. It was in her nature to give and to give back as is evidenced by her involvement in many charitable ventures through the years, such as the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, the IWK, Transition House, Christmas Daddies, the Loaves and Fishes, Palliative Care/Hospice Cape Breton, Adopt-a-family, and the Relay for Life. Eileen’s commitment to these causes demonstrates her care and concern for others, which she passed on to her dancers, as well as the ability to organize, innovate and cooperate with other groups in our community to achieve a common purpose. In 1992, Eileen and her dancers were invited, once again, to represent Canada at the International Festival of Music and Dance in Scotland, performing in 29 concerts throughout the highlands of Scotland from Eden Garden in Inverness to Thurso. Eileen ensured that her dancers experienced the history of the Battle of Culloden, with a visit to the Culloden Battlefield, where they picked fresh heather to bring back home. In 1994, Eileen and her dancers appeared in the CBC, award-winning movie, “Margaret’s Museum”. In 1995, Eileen and her dancers were invited to represent Canada at the "Rhythms of the World" festival in Walt Disney World, Florida, and performed in 22 shows at the American Gardens Theater by the Shore at Epcot. In 1997, she and her dancers and musicians represented Canada in the Republic of China at the International Folklore and Folkgame Festival in Taiwan. There were 300,000 spectators during this festival with dozens of countries participating in this spectacular event. Eileen ensured that her dancers were prepared for this cultural exchange by educating them on Taiwanese customs, including some mandarin language. That same year, her dancers performed on several episodes of the CBC series "Pit Pony". In 2000, Eileen and her dancers travelled to Utah, USA, to represent Canada during the 25th Anniversary of “Folkmoot USA”, an international Folkfest held annually throughout the USA. In 2001, she and her dancing daughters, Shannon, Shara and Shendle, were invited to Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, USA, as guest performers and lecturers on the Celtic culture of Cape Breton. In 2005, Eileen and her dancers were invited once again as Canada's representatives at the World Folklore Festival in Drummondville, Quebec to mark the dance school’s 40th anniversary. It was on that trip that her dance company’s musical ensemble recorded their first CD entitled “Music of Nova Scotia” which features a sampling of the music they had performed in concerts and festivals locally and abroad, with the liner notes translated into five languages. In 2008, Eileen, her dancers, and musicians, were invited to represent Canada at the 25th anniversary of “Folkmoot USA” in North Carolina. In 2015, Eileen received a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, from Cape Breton University for her significant contribution to the Scottish Culture and heritage of Cape Breton Island. That same year, she was also awarded the “Pinnacle” award for Women in Business for her excellence in business practices and contribution to the arts. In 2023, Eileen was inducted into the Cape Breton Business Hall of Fame for her outstanding contribution to the arts and for her philanthropy work throughout the Island. In 2024, Eileen was awarded a very rare honorary membership from the executive council of the Scotdance Teachers’ Alliance for her long-time dedication and service. Other notable performances over the years and events include Johnny Reid’s Christmas video, “Go Tell it on the Mountain” in 2014, a live performance at the 2005 East Coast Music Awards, a 2000 performance for then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Lieutenant Governor James Kinsley, several of Rita MacNeil's Celtic Specials including “Home I’ll Be” and her Celebration of life at Centre 200, multiple performances throughout the years at the Celtic Colours International Festival, a 1999 performance with the N.S, Highlanders at the Lester B. Pearson Peacekeeping Center, featured performers in several episodes of the TV show, “Pit Pony” in 1997, featured performers on the ATV children’s show, “Master Control” in 1997, a 1995 performance during the historic 250th anniversary celebrations at the Fortress of Louisburg, NS, a 1990 Newfoundland tour, and various performances throughout Cape Breton Island over the many years, in particular the beloved ‘Winnie Chafe Ceilidh’ series, the opening of the Canso Causeway 1955, and anything involving her three dancing daughters. At the time of her passing, Eileen continued to teach and choreograph alongside her daughter Shannon who is carrying on the family tradition throughout Cape Breton Island. A milestone for Eileen and the dancers was the establishment of the Forrester Centre, built in Coxheath in 2017 - the permanent home of the Forrester dancers and “home away from home” for many other young people within our community. She was quite excited about all of the activities and offerings happening at the centre and would be known to sprinkle in her creative brilliance and ideas with Shannon from dancing to wee weddings, beverages, candles, and more. Eileen’s many professional and cultural accomplishments are impressive, however, her greatest love and her most cherished achievement is the family she built with her beloved and devoted husband, who was by her side during her greatest accomplishments as well as her many health challenges. Eileen is survived by her husband of 54 years, Wally (Sydney), son Sean (Jennifer Moore), Oshawa, daughters Shannon (Dan MacPherson), Sydney, Shara (Sean Martell), Ottawa, Shendle (Wes Smith) Ottawa, seven beautiful grandchildren: Bailey, Kassidy, Kallie, Calum, Chloe, Teagan, and Brennah, (all Ontario), sister Jo-Anne Binns, Westmount, life-long friend Carolyn (Jim) Dawson, Sydney, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and thousands of beautiful highland dancers world-wide. We will miss her forever. Along with her parents, Eileen was predeceased by her brothers Joseph, Donald, and Terrance; sisters, Faith and Sandra; father-in-law, John Alvin Forrester, and mother-in-law Lucy (Boudreau) Forrester. Cremation has taken place under the care and compassion of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Sydney. A very special Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, to enable Eileen’s family and friends from away to attend, including her most precious grandchildren. Eileen was a legend and a true ambassador of our Scottish culture and our beautiful Cape Breton Island and as such, we will commemorate her legacy and life the way she so richly deserves, in the coming spring. Details will be released at a later date. A special thank you to our long-time family physician, Dr. Carol Critchley, Orthopedic surgeon and friend Dr. Kevin Orrell, long-time friend and spiritual advisor, Father Douglas Murphy, and the many nurses, physicians, and health care specialists at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and VON who went above and beyond to ensure Eileen was comfortable and well cared for over the many years, especially over the last few months. Eileen always felt incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support and made it her mission to give back to others, even when her own health was suffering. There are so many amazing people who have helped and supported her and our family throughout her many health battles, especially our Forrester dancers and their families. #since1965 Words of comfort may be expressed to Eileen’s family by visiting www.tjtracey.com. As an expression of sympathy, Eileen would love for anyone to pay it forward and perform an act of kindness in her honour. As Eileen had so passionately expressed: “So laugh as much as you can every day, love as long as you live with whomever you want, and dance as much as you can breathe!” EF She is now dancing with the angels….