Obituary of Rose Lillian MacLeod

We the family are saddened to share the passing of our beloved mother, Rose Lillian MacLeod, known to family and friends as Nana Rose. Born and raised in Whitney Pier, Rose married the love of her life, Jack MacLeod, and spent many years travelling as a military wife, retiring in Sydney in 1989. Rose brought out the best in everybody. Whenever anyone found out Rose was our mother, they’d comment “I love your Mom, she’s so sweet”. She brought joy to everything she touched and could see the humour in everything. Some favourite memories Rose liked to share were Christmases at the Pier, her childhood observations of the happiness experienced during D-day celebrations, when she was one of two grandmother’s acting as flower girls at her granddaughter’s wedding, and her adventure riding Splash Mountain at Disneyworld. She and Jack were inseparable, and she was a living example of how to show unconditional love. She selflessly raised her youngest brother, Harry, after her mother passed when Rose was 15. In her later years, she loved cheering on the family horses, the Homan and Gushue curling teams, and was a long-term fan of the Young and Restless. Rose was pre-deceased by her husband of 52 years, Jack MacLeod, daughter Stephina MacLeod, her parents, William (Bill) and Stephina (Menchefski) Twerd, parents-in-law John and Susan (Powell) MacLeod, and brother, Stan Twerd. She is survived by children, Ron (Bev) MacLeod, Carol (Joe) Lewis, Sheila (Guy) Choquette, and Charlie (Julie) MacLeod; grandchildren Christa, Chantelle (Dallas), Jonathan, Tyler, Stephanie, Andrew, Michael, Daniel and Eric; great grandchildren Jensen, Tate and Gwen; brothers Walter (Patsy) Twerd, and Harry (Lois) Twerd, sister-in-law, Sheila Twerd, and her life-long friend, Claras MacLean. The family is forever grateful to the Lewis’s for always looking out for Rose, and to the many other angels who touched Rose’s life through the years. Siblings Ron, Sheila, and Charlie also wish to express their undying gratitude to their sister, Carol, and her husband, Joe (as the only children in Sydney) for their unwavering support of Rose through the years after Jack’s death in 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. A special thanks to first responders and all health care professionals who supported Rose in her last hours of life. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, NS, 902-539-7175. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 1, at the funeral home from 12 – 2 pm, service to follow in the Chapel at 2 pm, Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting the T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists Facebook page. A reception will be held after the service. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.