Obituary of Anna Mae McCarthy

McCARTHY, Anna Mae It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Anna Mae McCarthy, age 87, of Curry's Corner, Hants County. Anna went "Home" on Saturday, May 20, surrounded by people who loved her very much. Born in St. Joseph's Hospital, Glace Bay, February 6, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Tennis Robert (of Pictou) and Mary Ann (MacDonald) Marshall (of Windsor). Anna is survived by her niece, Melanie Freeman (Dennis), Clearwater, BC; nephew, Ronald Marshall (Uta), Prince George, BC and Ronald's children, Kristen and Kaitlin. She is survived as well by step nieces and nephews, Wesley, Tracey, Sandra, Jocelyn (Bruce), Tina and Lisa, all of British Columbia. Besides her parents, Anna was predeceased by husband, Basil McCarthy, Windsor; brother, John Marshall, Clearwater, BC; grandparents, Ronald and Margaret MacDonald, Cape Breton; her special cousin, Margaret MacDonald, Cape Breton and several aunts and uncles. Anna was a caring and devoted caregiver and Nanny to several children and will be sadly missed by Lorelei Oulton Kerr (Stan), Mt. Denson and Michael Ross (Sue Mei), Markham, Ontario; the Kerr children, Will, Katherine and Ben as well as Michael's daughter, Rebecca. She has remained very close with her family by marriage and will be remembered with love by brothers and sisters-in-law, especially her dear friend, Ella Dearman, Ellershouse; sister-in-law, Patricia (Gary) Cox, Truro, who took care of her lovingly in her last days, and her children, Ken and Michelle; Julia Ann Dewolfe, Halifax, Rhoda (Clayton) Campbell, Truro, and Frances Morrison, Three Mile Plains and all of their families. Anna will be remembered fondly by her special neighbor, Janine Miller who took such good care and watched over her daily to make sure she was ok. Anna lived her young life on River Denies Mountain in Cape Breton, where many happy memories were made. It was there that she learned to love music and dancing and could dance into the wee hours with the best of them and walk home along the mountain road. It was there as well that she learned to work hard and care for others. Anna returned to her beloved Cape Breton at every opportunity, filling the car with friends to stay in the "blue room" at Chisholm's of Troy Cottages. She was a proud Cape Bretoner if ever there was one. Alongside her husband, they ran the Taxi Lunch in Windsor for many years and will be remembered for the wonderful home cooked meals and the good company found there. After retiring she lovingly cared for her Mom at home for many years and opened her home to her Uncle Dan in his last years. Anna renewed her interest in playing the guitar as she got older and loved to play, sing and listen to the music she loved. Her favorites were the older country songs and she knew so many. She attended the local jam sessions and in the last year began taking her turn singing her favorites. She made many close fun loving friends there and loved the stories and joking that accompanied the music. She had her favorites of course and David Riley's name often came up as he encouraged her and sang with her. Throughout her life Anna worked hard always thinking of others. Her home was home base to many, knowing there would be a good meal, a place to lay a weary head and an ear to listen. She loved spending time with family and friends sharing a good laugh. She set a fine example of how people should be treated and how things should be done. Anna will be greatly missed and always lovingly remembered. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS BON 2TO (902-798-8317), where the family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 6. A funeral service celebrating Anna's life will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, in DeMont Family Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Tom Henderson officiating. A reception will immediately follow in the funeral home's Elmcroft Reception Centre. Interment will take place in St. John's Parish Cemetery, Wiley Ave., Windsor. Donations in memory of Anna may be made to Arthritis Society - Nova Scotia Division, 3770 Kempt Road, Suite 210, Halifax, NS B3K 4X8 (1-800-321-1433). Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca