Our beloved mother Cleophoes Adele “Cleo” McLeod passed away peacefully at 11:11 on Monday, June 8, 2026 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, and we were so blessed that she left this world on her own terms. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and special friend. She was the heart of our home and a source of endless support to us all.  

Born on Christmas Day in 1945, Cleo was the daughter of the late Garfield and Edna (Gillard) White. Cleo was a bus and lunch supervisor with Bras d’Or Elementary where she loved all of the school children in her care. She was an avid crafter, knitter, and pickler. She did all manner of “sitting,” whether it be for child, home, or elder, Cleo could be called on to take care of a loved one. She absolutely loved going shopping and she loved dinning out as well. Most of all, she loved her family. She is now reunited in heaven with her husband, John, with whom she shared 53 loving years.

Cleo is survived by her children – John Gary (Barb), Lynn (Dave), Kate (Martin) MacKeigan, Elaina MacDonald, and Tanya (Wally); grandchildren – Courtney, Jonathan, Justin, Philip, Jonathan, Kyle, Katalyn, Maggie, and John James; great-grandchildren – Maddie, Mattias, Forest, Harrison, and a great-granddaughter on the way; siblings – Mary, Cecilia, Kathy, Gloria, and Edward; her McLeod brothers-in-law – Larry (Sharon), Reggie, Din, Dan (Sharon), as well as sister-in-law and special friend, Kimmie (Urban) Day. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews, especially Dana, Vickie, and Mikayla, along with special friends – Candy and Rose

Besides her parents, Cleo was predeceased by her husband, John William McLeod; son-in-law, Hugh MacDonald; siblings – Jack, Frank, Jimmy, Patsy Donovan, as well as infant, Melvin. She is further predeceased by her McLeod in-laws – father and mother, John and Katie, as well as sisters-in-law - Flo Moylan, Kay Spezzano, Marilyn Ford, Anna Harvey, and brothers-in-law - Pat, Jimmy, and George McLeod.

We would like to acknowledge the staff on 4 West of the Northside General Hospital as well as the emergency staff and CCAs at the CB Regional Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion shown to our mother. Lastly, we want to mention her “Glam Team” - longtime friend and hairstylist, Brenda Grant, as well as longtime friend and nail-tech, Carrie Gerrow; you girls always made Mom feel beautiful and confident.  

A funeral mass for Cleo will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 12, 2026, at St. Joseph Church in Bras d’Or with Rev. Nonso officiating. A reception will be held at the Bras d’Or Seniors and Pensioners Club immediately following the mass. The mass will be live-streamed on the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home Facebook page. Online condolences can be left for the family by writing on the tribute wall of the obituary page.   

She made broken look beautiful

She made strong look invincible

She walked with the universe on her shoulders

and made it look like wings