Sydney, NS
November 4, 2024
After three days of peaceful sleep, surrounded by family sharing stories about her, Rita Marie MacDonald Campbell departed our world at the age of 88 after a short illness, cared for until the end by the wonderful team at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit.
Born in Sydney’s North End in 1936, Marie was the third child of Tom Roach and Peggy (nee MacNeil) and is survived by her siblings, Tom, Jr. (Iris, Antigonish); Elma (Sydney); and Mary (Sydney).
Marie was predeceased by her sister, Betty (and brother-in-law, Donald, Chester). Marie is also now reunited with many other brothers- and sisters-in-law that passed before her.
Marie is survived by her husband of 24 years, John C. Campbell; and was predeceased by her first husband of 32 years, John Bryden MacDonald (d. 1989). Marie had five children with Bryden and became stepmother to John’s six children.
Marie’s children are Bryden, Jr. (Halifax); Marilyn (Chuck, Sydney); Maureen (Sydney); Allan (Dawn, Dartmouth); and Lorne (Sung Sik, Burnaby). Marie’s stepchildren are Colin (Adrienne, Toronto); Peter (Emily, Burlington); Paul (Toronto); Clare (Gordie, Howie Centre); Ian (Lorna, Sydney); and Ann (Glen, Sydney).
Marie had 21 grandchildren: Andrew, Bronwyn, Bryden, Callum, Catherine, Ciaran, Colin, Heather, Jenny, Jessie, John, Katelyn, Kathleen, Lee, Liam, Maria, Mariah, Mave, Meghan, Nora and Sarah; and six great-grandchildren: Anna, Charlotte, Emma, Lauren, Lily and Madeline. A visit from any one of the above brought joy to her heart.
Valedictorian of her graduating class at Holy Angels in 1953, Marie went on to graduate with an RN from St. Joseph’s in Glace Bay in 1957. Years later, returning to school when her children were older, Marie earned a BA from St. FX in 1979. Additional training at the Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth led to a rewarding career as a mental health nurse with Child and Adolescent Services.
Marie’s hobbies and interests were numerous, with Scrabble leading the way. A ruthless and bloodthirsty gladiator on the Scrabble board, a field of battle upon which she took no prisoners, Marie’s Scrabble IQ did irk and vex any foe. At frightened opponents she would hurl a suspicious-looking abbreviation and dare them to challenge her. Upon disposing of her latest victim, she would cool down with a crossword puzzle.
Marie was also a voracious reader of novels and biographies (and the Scrabble dictionary) over the course of her always evolving life. She was a passionate collector of art by local artists and a painter herself of watercolors and oil. As her friends and family will attest, blank space on the walls of her home was hard to find. In recent years, Marie and John C. called Parkland home and they enjoyed very much the many activities with their community of friends there.
From dancing with John Bryden to skating with John C., Marie loved to get out and socialize. Socializing at home was also important. To Marie, three was a crowd, four was a game of charades. With both Bryden and John, there was travel, concerts and laughter. Marie was also a connoisseur of wine, both nice wine and cheap wine, plus the occasional shot of Bailey’s when the mood struck.
Marie was a loyal supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada as well as the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic, which she kept close to heart since its beginnings forty years ago. She was also a devout Catholic and past president of the CWL. Marie’s children ask that in lieu of flowers, a gift be made to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in honour of their compassionate end-of-life care.
Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Marie MacDonald Campbell will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Friday, November 8, 2024.
A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon with the memorial service to follow at 12 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
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