Obituary of Shirley Cecilia MacDonald

Shirley Cecilia (Pottie) MacDonald, October 7, 1934 to December 28, 2023. It is with broken hearts and sadness that we share the sudden but peaceful passing of our beloved and amazing Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend.

Born in Halifax on October 7, 1934, she was the youngest daughter of the late Virginia (Briand) (Pottie) Sampson and Alex Pottie and stepfather William P. Sampson. Mom was also predeceased by her husband (our cool Dad), Owen Robert (2005); daughter (five years old), Laurel Virginia (1968); sisters, Muriel Wirrell (2008), Mary Martell (2011), and Marjorie Arnold (2015); brother, Harold "Bucky" Pottie (2019); and her favorite son-in-law, Scott Swales (2021). Mom was the last surviving member of her siblings.

As a young girl, Mom attended St. Mary's Girls School. While working at the Capital Theatre Candy Bar (sweet tooth mystery solved) she enrolled in Miss Murphy's Business School where she graduated from in 1951. She started working at C.N.I.B. and then up until her retirement she was a typist and Branch Secretary at Equifax Canada for 18 years.

Mom met her "favorite guy" (our Dad) in 1952 and they were married on August 31, 1957. Mom enjoyed camping at Sherwood Forest with Dad, Bingo, watching old movies, telephone conversations, and visits with family and friends. She was extremely proud and protective of her children and grandchildren. Spanning over decades, she was very dedicated at attending her children and grandchildren’s school events/concerts and every sport under the sun or rink. She definitely was a "Hockey Mom," and you could hear her cheering you on whether winning or losing.

She is survived by her children, son, Randy (Annemarie); daughter, Cyndi Swales; son, Craig (Gina); son, Glen (Janice); and adoring granddaughters, Nanny and Poppy's "Brown-eyed girls”, Haley (Neill), Kate (Brett), Shea (Matt), Kiley (Calvin), and, yet another favorite, her grandson, Cole. She is also survived by her former daughter-in-law, Cindy MacDonald; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She loved all of you.

“She will be remembered as an extraordinary mother and an “A+ grandmother!””

We would like to sincerely thank the overworked and dedicated paramedics and Cobequid Hospital Emergency, Doctor Bloom, and nurses for their care and compassion. Also, a special shout-out to our family nurses, Janice and Shea.

Cremation has taken place and as per Mom's wishes there will be no funeral service. A celebration of her life will be held for family and friends at Ashburn Golf Club, 3250 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax, on January 6, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“Mom, you will live on in all our hearts forever. We all know you are “Somewhere over the Rainbow.””

Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).