Obituary of Mary Shirley Sharon McNamara

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Sister, Mary Shirley Sharon McNamara, Age 86 at the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home on Monday, July 1, 2024. She was born in Antigonish to the Late Marjorie and George O’Brien of Aulds Cove, NS

Mom was born on October 16, 1937. The oldest of 5 children. She attended school in Havre Boucher. Mom had a very strong faith, prayer was a daily routine in her life as well as the rosary which she said every night. She married the love of her life Joseph McNamara on Aug.20, 1956. She moved to Evanston and they started their family in 1957. They were blessed with 11 children and of the 11 children, a set of triplets. Her children were her world. She was an active member in her parish of St.Francis De Sales, Lower River and a CWL member for years until her dementia advanced.

Mom was a para professional at the Walter Fougere School for a brief period after her youngest child started school until the Strait Richmond Hospital opened and she took employment there until retirement.

Mom, (Grammie) will always be remembered for the love she showed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved immensely. Mom loved to see any one of us coming through the door and made each and every one feel special. She would stand in the door until we were out of sight, still waving until we could no longer be seen. She loved to quilt, making each one of her children a quilt. She dearly loved knitting especially when she was making the Teddies for Tragedy for the children who were scared when visiting hospitals, she had made thousands of those bears which we would donate to the Strait Richmond, IWK and many other hospitals. The joy she gave others was next to none. The door to the family home was always open to everyone, day or night. Her cowboy and molasses cookies were enjoyed by many. She loved all animals. She was a mom to all 11 and many others in the community who looked upon her as a mother figure.

Left to mourn are her children: David (Louise)Truro, Cheryl Chiavari (Darrell)Port Hawkesbury, Karen MacEachern-Port Hawkesbury, Darryl (Holly), Liverpool, Stephen (Celeste),Samsons Cove, Stewart (Yolanda), Antigonish, Shane (Pam),Belnan, Kent(Tracy),

The Points, Kyla Nelligan (Brian),Fredericton, Kyle (Jessie), Creignish Rear, Rosalie Hearn (Paul), Frankville; Sister, Sharon Burton, Aulds Cove; Brother, Seward (Bev) O’Brien, Mulgrave; 24 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph McNamara; Sister, Sheila Cummings; Brother, Blaise O’Brien and Daughter In Law, Susan Pearl McNamara.

Special Thanks to the staff at the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home for the care she received while she resided there due to her advanced dementia. Dr.Paul Pluta for being her primary care physician and Dr.Gorman for her kindness when giving my mom her prognosis of Dementia.

Visitation will be on Sunday July 7th 6-8 and Monday July 8th 2-4 & 6-8 At Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral will be held at 11 am in St. Francis De Sales Parish, Lower River. Family flowers only please.

Donations may be made to the Strait Richmond Hospital or Charity of Choice.  Words of comfort may be forwarded at www.haverstocks.com