Judith “Judy” Lynn Burchell, 71

Glace Bay, N.S.

It is with great heartache, that we the family of Judith “Judy” Lynn Burchell, 71, of Glace Bay, announce her sudden and peaceful passing at home, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Born in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of the late Eric Joseph and Geneva (Cole) MacDonald.

Judith was a family person and jack of all trades, from baking and cooking, raising her children, grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren. Judy worked in multiple positions in her life; a cook at Mike’s Lunch, which being one of her favourite positions and she also worked as a cashier, cleaner, and did other manual labour jobs, she did these as well as any man would do.

Nanny's most favourite thing to do was spend time with her family, mainly her great grandbabies, Noah and Quinn. She loved to be riding in the passenger seat of any vehicle and go to see the cruise ships in summer, Christmas lights in winter, and would love to chase any siren she heard, all her grandchildren, and their friends knew if a call came on the scanner, we were going. She gave her all to everyone even if she did not have it to give. Judy instilled great morals and values in us all, she taught more than life lessons, she taught us true love as well, loving us at our best and at our worse. Nanny showed us what true love meant between our poppy and herself, they have been two peas in a pod since he scooped her up 53 years ago, even when she yelled at him over “that darn dog”, she always did it with love.

Judith is survived by her husband Howard Burchell of 51 years; a son Howard “Buddy” (Wanda) Burchell, the only boy, “he was her little buddy”; two daughters: Tammy Lynn (Todd) Penny, and Judith Venice Burchell; a brother Daryl MacDonald.

Nanny is also survived by nine grandchildren: Alyssa Burchell, Rebecca Penney, Eric Penney, Jessica Kelly, Nicholas Kelly, Katelyn Kelly, Nathan Kelly, and Rylan Burchell and Maddyson Burchell; four great-grandchildren: Noah Burchell, Judith Quinn Burchell, Cohen Kelly and Maverick Lois Strong; her dog Winnie, who was Judy’s pride and joy; Ricky Kelly and Kirkland Campbell, both a father to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and whom she loved as her own. And she is also survived by her best friend Avern Brown.

Predeceased by both parents, Eric, and Geneva (Cole) MacDonald, brother Eric “Bumby Cole” MacDonald, and her best friend and chosen sister Jackie Peach (who always and will continue to have a bingo dabber ready for her).

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 12-2 p.m., and a Memorial Service to follow at 2 p.m., with Fr. Norman MacPhee presiding, all in T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, N.S. 902-849-4199. Interment will be held immediately following the service in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice or do what nanny would do and pay it forward, help who you can, when you can, no matter what.

Special thank you to the RDU Staff in Glace Bay and Cape Breton Regional Hospital, for their care. To Dr. Young as well, for being so on top of Nanny’s treatments, and to the EHS and Cape Breton Regional Police for trying to help Nanny, especially Cst. Shae-Lynn McNeil. And to her daughter Tammy for always making herself available for Nanny, day or night, without Tammy and Alyssa, Nanny would not have had the great life she did.

Words of comfort may be expressed to Judith’s family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.