Obituary of Sheila Dorcas MacNeil

MACNEIL (MACDONALD), SHEILA DORCAS
It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that our Mother has left this world at the age
of 91 on September 20, 2022. Our grandparents Budd and Rose (Mann) MacDonald raised Mom
with her siblings Jean, Hartley, Condie, Cy (Kedgie) and Finlay on Windsor Street in Halifax.
According to Mom’s childhood friend Frieda, this was the house that all the kids in the
neighbourhood hung out in. Mom instilled that sense of fun and adventure in us in our
childhood. We would drive around the city chasing fire trucks or standing in the rain for the first
time the Common’s fountain spouted water or devouring fried chicken picnics at Point Pleasant
Park. Mom married our father Sgt. John (Jack) MacNeil, retired RCMP, and they raised their six
children on Willow Street. She worked at the IWK on Switchboard for over 20 years, and her
sense of mischief led her to sing Happy Birthday to Dr. Goldbloom over the PA system. In 1989,
Mom received the Staff Recognition Award, an honour chosen by her IWK coworkers to
recognize her outstanding and valued commitment to the Hospital. Twenty-five years after
retirement and she was still going to lunch with the “girls”. Mom loved drives to the Valley,
camping on Cape Cod, treat meals at Look Ho Ho, Swiss Chalet and the former Athens
Restaurant, shopping for cat toys and being surrounded by pets and kids. Mom’s love for her
family had no bounds and each of us carries that same love to our families. Mom is survived by
son Paul (Diane), Upper Tantallon, daughter Joan (Paul Richard), Halifax, son David, Halifax, son
Stuart (Christina), Halifax and son Robert (Patti), Danvers, MA. She fiercely loved her
grandchildren Andrew, Krista, Shauna and Paul Jr; Ted, Julie and Alex; Paula, David Jr, Rebecca
and Luke; Sarah and Emily and their mom Carolyn; Erin and her mom Margaret; and step-
granddaughters Madison and Charlotte. She was also very proud of her 23 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by husband Jack, son Donald and granddaughter Marielle. Since
December 2021, she lived with Stuart and Chris, along with her cat and best friend Lucy, and no
matter who visited, there would be so much laughter. Mom’s life will be celebrated on October
29 th (details TBD). Donations to honour Mom can be made to a charity of your choosing.