Mary Colleen (MacCormack) MacNeil

Colleen MacNeil

Bras d’Or

It is with profound sadness that we announce Colleen (MacCormack) MacNeil passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, July, 15, 2021, following a brief illness.

Colleen grew up in a close and loving family in Whitney Pier. She was the daughter of the late Colin and Christina (Gillis) MacCormack. She is survived by her son, James (Bernadette) Bras d’Or, daughter Mary Beth (Kevin) Walker, Inverness; seven grandchildren, Haley, Brennan and Kate MacNeil and Megan, Emily, Laura and Kevin Walker. Also surviving are sisters; Elaine Schmid, Delores Starzomski (Frank), Heather Fraser (Steve) and Lisa Raitt (Bruce), brother, Daniel MacCormack and the late Colin MacCormack (Janice), brother-in-law, Fr. Sandy MacNeil, sisters-in-law, Catherine Sutton, and Sister Millie MacNeil, CND.  She is also survived by many special nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews whom she loved dearly and brought her great joy. Besides her husband, Vince, Colleen was predeceased by her brother Colin, brothers-in-law; George Schmidt and Dennis Sutton and sister-in-law, Cathy MacCormack.. 

Colleen was a graduate of Normal College, Truro, NS. After graduating, Colleen taught in the Sydney School System and later the Northside Victoria School Board. Colleen along with her husband Vince, established and operated MacNeil’s Motel in Bras d’Or for forty years. She was an active member of St. Joseph parish Bras d’Or, serving as a Sunday school teacher, lector and eucharistic minister. Colleen was an associate of the Sisters of Saint Martha. Most recently, Colleen enjoyed her time as a volunteer with Northside Community Guest Home and the veteran’s wing of Harbour View Hospital in Sydney Mines.

Gram was a devoted wife, loving mother/mother-in-law, proud grandmother, caring sister and aunt and a true friend. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  Her greatest pleasure was time spent with her treasured grandchildren. Gram was by nature kind, gentle, spiritual and loving. Helping others made her heart happy. 

She will be forever missed but never forgotten and with our many cherished memories, will be forever in our hearts.

Visitation for Colleen will be Thursday, August 12, 7-9 p.m. at W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A mass to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Bras d’Or.  Covid-19 restrictions will be in place for the visitation in the Funeral Home and the funeral mass with the wearing of masks, social distancing and limited seating at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, please spread kindness and do something for others, spend time with someone in need.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Colleen’s family by visiting www.wjdooley.com

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