Teresa Maura (Ryan) MacDonald

Teresa Maura (Ryan) MacDonald 92

North Sydney/Mulgrave

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the death of our beloved mother, grandmother & great grandmother, Teresa Maura (Ryan) MacDonald of 182 Brook St Ext., North Sydney. Mom passed peacefully on Wednesday August 28, 2019.  

Born in “Dear Ole Mulgrave” on January 6, 1927, she was the eighth of ten children born to the late Clement George and Bridget Ellen (Watt) Ryan. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she attended Provincial Normal College in Truro. She obtained her teaching license at the age of seventeen and went on to teach for several years in Guysborough County. Given her love of children and excellent interpersonal skills, the teaching profession was a natural fit.

On Sept 27, 1948 she married her long time “Hometown Beau”, Hugh “Sonny” MacDonald. They would enjoy fifty-five years of marriage until his death on Feb. 1st, 2004. Never did a day pass that she did not reference Dad; he always remained never far from her thoughts. A devoted wife and mother, her priorities in life were simple: family and faith. Her wonderful sense of humor enabled her to take the trials and tribulations of child rearing in stride. She loved motherhood, always present for her children, ever ready to celebrate and/or console as needed.

Eventually, as her children began to leave home, Mom sought out avenues of personal interests within the community. She became involved in a variety of local charities. An associate member of “The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Halifax”, she believed in the basic principles of social justice. A life long learner, she liked to be informed and kept abreast of current social issues. She proved a prolific volunteer, over the past few decades she devoted countless hours to numerous religious and non profit organizations, most notably: Girl Guides of Canada, St. Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary, Provincial Executive Council of N.S. Association of Health Auxiliaries, St. Vincent de Paul Society, St Joseph Church CWL (Recipient of Maple Leaf Outstanding Service Award), Operation Christmas Child, the Christmas Cheer Program and she was a founding member of the North Sydney Food Bank. Mom saw the “good” in all she met and held a genuine belief in one’s ability to make a difference.

As of late, Mother was lovingly supported in her home by dedicated caregivers: Susan McIntosh, Ida Marshall and Denise Dean. While at home, she was always appreciative of her weekly visits by Eucharistic Minister Sonny Guy.  Many thanks to Dr. Bill MacDonald for his dedication and care shown to mom over the years. The family would also like to acknowledge Debbie Murphy for her kindness and friendship; “Deb” was very dear to our mother. Mom’s final days were spent at Green Meadows Community Residence for Seniors in Antigonish County. Special thanks to Director Lee Kelly and her staff for their care and compassion.

Throughout our lives, our mother was a constant beacon of love and support. She is survived by her children:  Jacinta (Dale) Archibald, Antigonish ; Brian (Judy), Ottawa; Robert, North Sydney; Bill, Halifax; Michael (April), North Sydney & Brent (Jennifer), Dartmouth; her grandchildren: Jonathan & Christopher MacDonald; Shanon, David, Drew & Liam Archibald; Kathryn & Abigail MacDonald; Olivia, Thomas & Vincent MacDonald; her great grandchildren: Ariel MacDonald and Allara, Skye & River MacDonald; her

siblings: Bobby (Jean) Ryan, North Sydney and Joan (George) Hurry, Ottawa; her sisters-in-law: Anna Ryan, Mulgrave; Jean Ryan, Mulgrave; Ruth (MacDonald) Folan, Weymouth MA; Roberta (MacDonald) Hobaica, Easton MA; Lucille MacDonald, Riverview NB; Dorothy MacDonald, Harve Boucher & Jacqueline MacDonald, Halifax and daughter-in-law Miriam MacDonald, Coxheath. She was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, of whom she was very proud.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her son, David Hugh (Sept. 21, 2017), “My First Born”; her sisters: Aileen (John) Power, Laura (George) MacDonald; brothers: Earl (Irene) Ryan, Miles (Annie) Ryan, James (Sylvia) Ryan, Eric Ryan and Foster Ryan.

Visitation for Teresa will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating and Rev. Patrick O’Neill concelebrating.   Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.  Family flowers only. Memorial donations can be made to the North Sydney Food Bank or St Joseph Church Improvement Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23  

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