It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Jeanette Marie Boutilier on February 25, 2026, at Cara House in the Northside Guest Home at the age of 90.

Born on May 11, 1935, in Sydney Mines, Jeanette was the daughter of the late John and Esther (Dalton) Young.

A tower of strength and a pillar of love; Mom walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings. She held so many wonderful qualities, she was a devoted mother but her role as a grandmother is where she truly shone. She was exceptional in that role, treating each one of them with the same love and affection, never putting one before the other. 

A true vault for her children and grandchildren, a shoulder to lean on, an accomplice if you needed one (she'd get the shovel & swear she knew nothing), an excellent baker and the heart of our family. 

Mom especially enjoyed a good Harvey Wallbanger, game of cards & bingo. In her spare time, she also enjoyed her sister Sundays at Doris, shopping for shoes & coats, and Saturday afternoon mass, as well as her special friends - Sandra, Betty, Theresa & Sylvia.

Despite her hardships, she maintained an incredible, and sometimes quirky, sense of humour (just ask the girls at Cara House, especially Susie). 

She is lovingly survived by her children - Corena (Cyril) Dicks and Darren. Also surviving are her four grandchildren whom she adored - Jodie Lynn (Tyler) Fletcher, Michelle (Nicholas) Jessome, Brendan MacDonald and Nicole (Kyle) Sheard. She also leaves behind six beautiful great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Austin, Miles & Aubrey Sheard, Nathan & Eloise Jessome and Owen Fletcher. Also surviving is her son-in-law, Wayne MacDonald. 

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Doston Boutilier, her son Wayne, daughter Paula MacDonald, and infant son David. She was also predeceased by her siblings Doris Bragg, Raymond Young, Bernadette Allen, Loretta Johnston, Mildred Tobin and John Young. 

She will also be fondly remembered by her nieces, Lorna, Sharon, Cindy & Janice, with whom she shared a special bond. A special thank you to Cindy & Janice for the many visits, treats and for treating mom like she was their own. 

We would like to take this time to say thank you to the staff at Cara House - Robin, Linda, Diane, CCA's Brittany, Sabrina, Mike, Susie, Kaitlyn, Tanya and Cindy. You made mom feel loved and special in her time with you all. We will never forget that. Thank you for also making her family feel comfortable knowing mom was getting the best care. A shout out to Brett from recreation for the tea & talks, the Yahtzee games, exercising and painting classes, and for treating mom & the rest of the residents like they were your own grandparents. For that we are so grateful. 

A visitation for Jeanette will be held from 1-3 pm, Friday, May 15, 2026, at the W.J. Dooley Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A Funeral Service will follow at 3:00 pm in the Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Doug MacDonald. The service will be live-streamed on the W.J. Dooley Facebook page. Online condolences can be left for the family by writing on the tribute wall of the obituary page.  

Always remember, “you can't drive on Saturday” and “no pop in the marnin'”