It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Elizabeth Sheehan of New Glasgow on October 7, 2021.
Mary was born on November 12, 1932 to Curtis and Alva (Moore) Foote.
Mary is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, John "Douglas" Sheehan and her five children: Peter, David (Susan), Robert, Mary Beth and Philip (Amanda); grandchildren: Curtis, Katie, Daniel, Mackenzie, Maggie, Marlee and Maxwell; great-grandchildren: Guinevere and Augustine; brother, Jamie Foote; and sister-in-law, Frances Thompson.
Mary is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends with whom she shared a very special bond. Her relationships with her family and friends were extremely important to her and she treasured everyone of you.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Curtis and Alva (Moore) Foote; brother, Bob Foote; father-in-law, Daniel Sheehan; mother-in-law, Mary (King) Sheehan; brothers-in-law: Daniel "Bud" Sheehan, Raymond "Bish" Sheehan, Gordon "Pork" Sheehan, Angus Sheehan and David Sheehan; sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Millen and Dolly MacDonald.
Mary grew up in rural Nova Scotia in the small community of Tatamagouche and she later moved to New Glasgow to continue her education and went on to graduate from New Glasgow High School. Following high school, Mary attended the Aberdeen School of Nursing from 1951 to 1954. This is when Mary began her very fulfilling career as a nurse. Mary worked at many different hospitals over the years but spent the majority of her career as a nurse at the Aberdeen Hospital, as well as nursing for Dr. Park, Dr. Barclay and Dr. MacQuarrie. Anyone who knows Mary knows that her career in nursing was one of her biggest accomplishments and something of which she was so incredibly proud. She always said that nursing was not a career to her, it was a calling. Mary was so proud to be a nurse and to have the opportunity to care for and help people in their time of need.
Mary has had more trials and tribulations than most people can imagine but she still kept a positive attitude and managed to accomplish more in her lifetime than most do. In 2000 after recovering from three surgeries, Mary founded the Brain Tumour Support Group of Pictou County. As a survivor of brain tumours, this was extremely important to her for future generations to have a support system when going through that difficult time. She is also a two-time published author, publishing her first book ‘When Freddy Gardner Played’ in 2014 and her second book ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ in 2016. Mary was working on her third book prior to her most recent illness.
Mary enjoyed spending her time teaching Catechism at St. John’s Church, singing in the Saint John the Baptist choir, attending events with the Aberdeen School of Nursing alumni, traveling, writing, but most of all, she loved to be with her family.
Mary’s pride and joy were her family. She was a loving mother to five children, 7 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. There was nothing she loved more than spending time with her family and friends at her "little bit of heaven", the cottage on Sinclair‘s Island. Mary lived a full and beautiful life and she was not afraid of this next chapter. Her only worry was that her family would be okay and that is exactly who she was, always thinking of everyone but herself.
Public visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Tuesday, October 12th at R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow. Public funeral service will be held at 11 am Wednesday, October 13 at St. John’s Church. Reception to follow at Mary’s son Philip’s residence, 20 Norma Court, New Glasgow. As per N.S. COVID-19 restrictions, all attendees must wear a mask and show proof of full vaccination for both the visitation and funeral. For those who so choose, donations in memory of Mary can be made to the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada, the Aberdeen Hospital, Ivey’s Terrace Nursing home or a charity of your choice.
We would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Park for his exceptional care over the years, the Aberdeen Hospital nurses, doctors and staff for the exceptional care Mary received during her stays, all of the nurses and staff at Ivey’s Terrace Nursing Home for the love and care that you showed Mom in her time of need and a very special thank you to Kamayne, Jill and Lois, your compassion and care meant so much to all of us.