Obituary of Ann Marie MacDonald

Ann Marie (MacEachern) MacDonald January 5, 1939 - September 24, 2023
 
Ann Marie MacEachern was born and raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Ann Marie's journey was filled with a tapestry of joy, laughter, and experiences, always ready to speak her mind with courage and act with confidence and conviction.
 
Ann Marie was the second child born to Dan Joe and Winnifred (Graham) MacEachern. She embraced her Scottish heritage and shared it proudly in Antigonish and in Pictou County, where she would later call home. Ann Marie’s Celtic Nova Scotia roots would run deep. This was evident in her early days as an accomplished and award-winning Highland Dancer that took her as far away as Massachusetts and New York. 
 
Her early schooling was in Antigonish, and later Ann Marie attended Mount Saint Vincent Catholic High School in Halifax. Upon graduation, she attended Saint Francis Xavier University back in her  hometown. It was at StFX where she embraced the traditional Xaverian spirit. 
 
It was in Halifax where Ann Marie, on a blind date, met a young man who was also born in Antigonish, raised in Bridgewater, and educated at StFX and the University of Toronto. That first evening with Dr. John Vernon MacDonald led to a 61-year partnership and marriage and created a lineage of four children, nine incredible grandchildren, and two great grandchildren thus far. 

Ann Marie was a stay-at-home mother in her early years. She was heavily involved in building a just community in Pictou County, being part of many community initiatives. When her children left home to chart their own paths in life, she fulfilled her desire to create her own path, becoming an entrepreneur and co-business owner. It was in her retail business at the China Cupboard in New Glasgow that she reflected a special gift for innovation and client service.
 
Amidst her personal and professional success, her happiest days were spent at “The Farm”, surrounded by her four children, her extended family, and especially her nine grandchildren. It was at The Farm, a special place of 25 acres on the water in Little Harbor, where Ann Marie and Vernon were able to host and entertain family, their many friends, and where most of us have our fondest memories of summers in Pictou County.
 
Ann Marie was a true friend to all. She effortlessly made connections across communities and touched the lives of countless people. Her warm heart and genuine desire to help others defined her. She welcomed individuals from all walks of life, accepting them with open arms and without judgment.  May her spirit live on in the hearts of her family and all who had the privilege of knowing and spending time her.
 

Ann Marie is survived by three children – Mark (Karen), Kent (Mary-Ellen) and Carrie (John); nine loving grandchildren Adam (Meagan), Matthew (Kat), Meagan (Prathik),Mairi, Tayah, Patrick, Eric, Alexander, and Lauren, and two great-grandchild Benjamin and Henry. Ann Marie was loved and supported by her sister, Barbara, along with her brothers Donnie and Iain MacEachern.
 
She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years Vernon, her youngest daughter Kelly (Paul Meek), her parents Dan Joe and Winnie MacEachern. 
 
To those closest to her, Ann Marie was Mom and Nana. As we bid her farewell, we cannot help but feel the void that her departure has left in our hearts. Her family, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will forever cherish the memories they shared and benefit from the wealth of wisdom they gained from her. 
 
We cannot adequately express our gratitude for the love, caring and compassion shown by the staff at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home. They treated our mother and father as members of their family, as we also felt about them. We are grateful for the personal and exemplary medical supervision and support provided the staff of St. Martha’s Hospital, with special thanks to Dr. David Cudmore, Dr Jane Ann Howard, and Maggie Gillis, N.P. We also want to thank Ann Marie's brother-in-law, Dr. Brian Hoar for his support to our mother over many decades.

Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday September 29 in St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish. Immediately following mass, private family burial will take place in St. Ninian’s Parish Cemetery. A celebration of life will take place in Antigonish next summer.

Ann Marie and Vernon loved and supported their alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Vernon and Ann MacDonald Scholarship at St. Francis Xavier University (https://tinyurl.com/ksc9r86x), the Dr. Vernon and Ann MacDonald Scholarship at Northwood University (https://tinyurl.com/y3j9w67u) or the R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home.