Catherine 'Marie' (MacRae) MacKinnon Catherine 'Marie' (MacRae) MacKinnon, Port Hastings, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, surrounded by the love of her husband and children. Marie was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 10, 1945, and was a lifelong resident of Port Hastings. Marie was always optimistic and engaging including the last year, much of which she was challenged with illness. She always chose to see the bright side of people and her situation. She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren and was sure to provide updates about them to anyone who would listen. Marie was a voracious reader throughout her life and could be seen entering and leaving the SAERC library with bags filled with books. She loved gardening and looked forward to planning the greenhouse every spring. Marie worked for decades at the Sheiling Motel, being one of its first employees when it opened in April 1972. From a spectacular view overlooking the causeway, she was the first friendly face to greet hundreds of thousands of people when they first crossed into Cape Breton. She was a wonderful welcoming ambassador. Marie was blessed to come from large families from around the Port Hastings area including the MacKinnon, MacRae, King, Campbell, and MacDonald families. She enjoyed the company of and gatherings with her many siblings, in-laws, uncles, aunts and dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews. Marie is survived by her husband, Perley, Port Hastings; children, Bobby (Michelle Higgins), Halifax; Walter (Teri), Moncton, New Brunswick; Wilena (Brian Wood), Aulds Cove; and Traci (Dan MacIsaac), Port Hawkesbury; grandchildren, Carter and Avery MacKinnon; Robert Sparks, Nicole Sparks, Chelsea Tobin, Troy Tobin, and Kaitlyn MacKinnon; Jonathan Bonaparte (Brianne O’Neill), Cody (Brenna) Wood, and Colton (Jade) Wood; and Clint, Blake and Reice Snook; sisters, Marlene MacDonald and Gloria (Kenny) Leblanc and brothers, Billy (Betty) MacRae, Gary (Joan) MacRae, Francis (Doris) King, and Basil (Debbie) King; sisters-in-law, Mary Jess MacDonald, Julia MacKinnon, and Pauline MacKinnon; brothers-in-law, Sam Forgeron and William MacKinnon; great-grandchildren Tanner and Layton Wood; Paisley Wood; Aaliyah, Chloe, Cameron, Emmett and Rhyse Sparks; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her youngest son, Perley, Port Hastings; her mother, Sadie (nee Campbell) and her husband Bobby King; her father, Bob MacRae and his wife, Rose; sisters, Irene King in infancy and Faye (nee MacRae; Sam Forgeron); and brothers-in-law, Murdo (Julia) MacKinnon, Seward (Pauline) MacKinnon, Walter MacKinnon and Eddie (Mary Jess) MacDonald. Marie’s family is thankful for the excellent health care provided over the last year from her many care providers, and especially the Palliative Care team in Port Hastings, Dr. Cooper, Dr. Bentley, and Dr. Collins, and the palliative care team at St. Martha’s. Visitation will occur Tuesday, February 22, 2022 from 2 – 6 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral services will take place Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 11 a.m., in St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, with Sandi Irving DLM officiating. The funeral will be limited to family members due to COVID restrictions. Visitation and funeral attendees must be vaccinated, wear a mask and practice social distancing. Internment will take place at a later date. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie’s memory to St. David’s United Church, the Strait Richmond Healthcare Foundation, the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Visitation Time 2-6 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Service Time Private Service Location St. David's United Church, Port Hastings Burial Information Burial Date At a later date.