Shirley Margaret (Crowther) MacLean

Shirley (Crowther) MacLean 86

North Sydney/Sydney

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our most precious mom/nan Shirley (Crowther) MacLean on Monday, March 28, 2022. Born on May 18, 1935, Shirley was the daughter of the late George and Emma (Bonnar) Crowther.

After a lengthy battle with dementia, mom passed peacefully at Harbourstone Enhanced Care with her devoted daughters by her side.

Mom’s early years were spent at home raising her children, whom she adored. It was later in life that she became the lunch lady for the children at Gannon Road School. She loved and cared for every one of them as much as they loved her.

Mom was one of the most genuine, kind and giving people you would ever meet. Her family was always her priority, making sure everyone was cared for, loved and happy. Growing up, our home was the gathering place for all of our friends. No matter how many were there or what shenanigans we got into there was never a cross word. For many years mom enjoyed her ladies club and a good game of cards.

Mom provided us with a lifetime of cherished memories. She lived with grace, love, humor and kindness. Even though her last several years she lived with dementia her passion for love and her humor never faded. We enjoyed our time with mom up until the very end and we will be forever grateful for the fun and laughter that we shared.

Mom was a beautiful, irreplaceable person who will be forever loved by her children Donna (Milton) Bonnar, Brian (Francine) Bona, Glenda Hiscott and George Bona. Her grandchildren Kyle (Lorraine) and Katie (Scott) Bonnar, Kristopher (Amber) and Kelly (Liam) Hiscott, great grandchildren Merissa Bell, Eva and Jade Hiscott, step-son Brian (Colleen) MacLean and their children Jenny, Crystal and Chris.  Also surviving is sister Donna (Clinton) Guy, brother Glen (June) Crowther, brothers-in-law Elmer Marsh and Jack Maxwell; sister-in-law Goldie Bona and best friend Elva Strickland.

Besides her parents Shirley was predeceased by her first husband Joseph Bona, second husband Blowers MacLean, granddaughter Tenille Bonnar, son-in-law James Hiscott, sisters Colleen (Wallace) Reid, Raye Maxwell and Georgina Marsh, brothers-in-law Arthur (Marjorie) Bona, George Bona, Donald (Nellie) Bona, Willie (Leona) Bona and Victor (Thelma) Bona, sisters-in-law Helen (George) Jardine, Josephine (Donald) Bradbury and Marie (Gerald) Yetman.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Coakley and her caregivers at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, notably on MacDougall’s Court, for your love, compassion and care provided to mom over the past two years.

Visitation for Shirley will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 1st in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s Church, Archibald Avenue, North Sydney, with Rev. Angus MacDougall officiating.                 

Memorial donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Cape Breton.  Online condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.”

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