Obituary of Delia Evelyn MacChesney

MacCHESNEY, DELIA EVELYN, Age 91, Antigonish, died January 5, 2024 following a slow but steady decline in her health over the past year. Born in Afton, Antigonish County, on May 6, 1932, Delia was predeceased by her parents Florence (MacPherson) and Fred MacChesney, and, in 1986, by her much loved older brother James “Jimmie” MacChesney, all of Afton. It was Jimmie who, as a toddler, named Delia “Babe”. Babe she would be known as and remain to many throughout her life, including her late mother, Florence.   

Delia grew up and was educated in Afton before moving for work first to Antigonish and later to Halifax. While working in Halifax, Delia decided to attend the Maritime Secretarial School to obtain a secretarial diploma, believing it would help her secure better employment opportunities. In 1957, she obtained the diploma and, as she hoped, better employment followed. In the 1980s, Delia decided to return to Afton and Antigonish to care for her aging mother (until Florence’s death in 1992), and to complete her career with North Shore Drug Dependency. Shortly after her mother’s death, Delia sold her mother’s family home in Afton and took up residence at St. Ninian Plaza on College Street, Antigonish. Delia enjoyed close to three decades of retirement at “the Plaza”, a part of the Highland Housing Co-operative.  Delia was a true believer in the Co-op’s purpose and for many years served on its committees. Delia was also an active member of Club 60, Antigonish, serving as its Treasurer, and a longtime supporter of and Red Cross volunteer. In 2016, Club 60 recognized Delia’s many contributions and granted her a life membership.

With her health declining and against her strongest of objections, in 2022 Delia moved to The Maples and then in August 2023 to Green Meadows, her final home before her death.

Delia is survived by her younger siblings, John “Jackie” (Joyce) MacChesney, Toronto; Nettie Cameron (late Thomas “Tommy”), Antigonish; and Harriet Cameron (late Allister “Allie”), Lochaber; as well as her many nieces, grand nieces, nephews and grand nephews, some with whom she enjoyed close relationships. A special thank you to her nephew Brian Cameron for his visits, conversation and support.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to the managers and staff at both The Maples and Green Meadows for their accommodation and compassionate care of Delia over the past two years. The family also expresses its gratitude to Delia’s many friends at the Plaza and the Co-op who helped Delia age in place in the apartment she considered home. Special mention and appreciation to Nancy and Anita MacLean, Helen Putnam, Barb Malcolm, and the indefatigable Evelyn Cook. Likewise, we thank Delia’s former and longtime work colleague, Nelda Armour. Their friendship developed through Nelda being Delia’s supervisor and she relied heavily on Delia to keep her organized so Nelda could provide important service to the many clients who counted on her.

Donations in memory of Delia may be made to the charities she has designated as her beneficiaries: The St. Matthew’s United Church Building Fund, the St. Matthews United Church Cemetery Fund or the Salvation Army.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street, Antigonish. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. Delia’s funeral will occur at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 13, 2024 in St. Matthew’s United Church, 174 Bayfield Road, Afton, Antigonish County, with Reverend Heather Manuel presiding. Interment of Delia’s ashes in the family plot in the cemetery adjacent to the Church will follow her funeral after which the family invites attendees to a reception in the Nakasat Room at the Heatherton Community Centre, 42 Summerside Road.