Obituary of Rona Marie MacFarlane

Rona Marie MacFarlane (MacDonald)  66, of Westville, passed away on Sept. 25, 2018 surrounded by her family and dearest friends. Rona was born on Valentine’s day, 1952 to Donald Angus and Mary Agnes (MacNeil) MacDonald of Inverside, NS.　

As a selfless wife, mother and friend, nobody was unwelcome in her home. Many have sat at her kitchen table as she listened, fed, encouraged and comforted. She supported her children in music, dance, sports, as a scouting leader, recital organizer and driver. Anybody's patience would be put to the test as the house filled with the sounds and steps of aspiring musicians and dancers but she took great pride in their successes and in her growing family. She spent her life and gave her full heart to working and volunteering to help others. She worked at various times at Shady Oaks Rest Home, Riverview Residential Centre and HCRS as well as spending much of her spare time with seniors and adults with intellectual disabilities. She considered this as time spent with friends and encouraged their independence and well-being. Rona promoted literacy in Pictou County by teaching adults to read and write without judgement (again, at her kitchen table) and she collected for the Heart and Stroke fund, The Kidney foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society among many more.　

She is survived by her husband of almost 47 years, Patrick Joseph "Pat" MacFarlane, sons Scott (Lisa Hayden), Kristopher (Sara), Jamie (Aleta Rose), daughter Katie, grandchildren Evan, Brady, Jalen and Arley, daughter-in-law Meghan Bragg, brothers Donnie (Terry), Concord MA and Richard (Angela), Inverside, NS, friend Doris Fleury who was close to her heart and her most cherished friend, Mary Lays.

She was predeceased by her parents Donald and Aggie, sister Sharon MacDougall and brother Johnnie.　

The family would like to thank the doctors and especially the nurses, technicians, cleaning and catering staff of the Aberdeen hospital, the VON, Lawton’s pharmacy in Westville and Nova Scotia EHS for their unending care and kindness.

Her family will receive visitors on Thursday from 7-9 pm and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. Her funeral service will be held at 11 am Saturday Sept. 29 from the Church of The Holy Name, Westville with Father Peter MacDonald officiating. Interment will be in the Holy Name Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rona’s name may be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society or a charity that is dear to you.