Arlene (MacLeod) Bennett

Arlene Bennett

North Sydney/Ross Ferry

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Arlene Bennett, age 68, on Friday, August 30, 2019, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with her children at her bedside.

Born April 7, 1951, in Big Bras d’Or, she was the daughter of the late Neil and Florence (Patterson) MacLeod.

As a child and until years as a young adult our Mom enjoyed country life to the fullest and made many memories with her brothers and cousins on the Patterson family farm; Boularderie.

After getting married our Mom and Dad built a log home themselves in the country for our family. 

Our Mom stayed at home until we all graduated. She then worked as a waitress at the Seal Island Restaurant in Seal Island, enjoying the close-knit group of friends who worked there. She later worked as a personal care worker at Alderwood Rest Home in Baddeck until her retirement.

Mom had a love for flowers, loved cooking and reading her mother’s recipe books.

Our Mom made it possible to send me to nursing school and my brothers to Heavy Duty Machine Operator School.  She sent us her tips from the restaurant so we didn’t have to worry about expenses and remained our biggest supporter as we persued our careers.

Our Mom held a special kind of love for her grandsons that she often talked about. “You won’t know until you have a grandchild”. She shared with them a love of Jim Carrey movies and let them use cans of silly string indoors and out.

The tragic passing of her son Joey in 2017 caused Mom such pain and devastation she never recovered from a broken heart. 

Arlene is survived by her daughter Amy Jo Bennett (Raymond Collier and his sons Brandon and Ryan), Ross Ferry; son, Charles Bennett (“Little”Holly Nicholson), Boularderie; by their father Joseph Bennett(Ross Ferry); grandchildren, Ray Jr., Harrison; three brothers, Charles (Patsy) MacLeod, Angus MacLeod, both of Big Bras d’Or, Glenn MacLeod, Grimshaw, AB. She is also survived by a special cousin whom she considered a sister, Marlene (John) Stewart and Marlene’s sons Ryan (Tanya) Stephens and Jamie (Erin)Stephens and their families, Brantford, ON ,her best friend Anita (Bobby) Anthony (Milleville), friend Isabelle Covin, Baddeck, cousin Ann Marie MacInnis and family (Ross Ferry)friend Darla Marissen of Brantford,ON and extended family.

Our Mom was not only a strong presence in her childrens lives, but in the lives of her nieces and nephews as well.  Shawn (Kristy) MacLeod, Angela (Brian)Poole, Malcolm (Chantelle)MacLeod, Stephanie (Dale)Macleod, Katie (Izaak) Hudson, Dylan and families will always hold a special place in their heart for her.

Besides her parents she was predeceased by her son, Joey and her sister-in-law, Florrie MacLeod.

Thanks to Rev Peter MacDonald for his visits to Mom and checking in with our family. We would like to express gratitude to our friends, and co-workers for the support and kindness shown.  Special thanks to care providers in Victoria County Memorial Hospital and CBRH ER. Also thank you to the care providers of ICU for your care and making us feel comfortable and being approachable.

As per her request, there will be no visitation. A funeral service for Arlene will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney with Rev. Peter MacDonald officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. James Church, Big Bras d’Or or Knox Presbyterian Church, Ross Ferry.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com

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