St. Margaret’s Village
On December 22, 2017, with her loved ones by her side, at Buchanan Memorial Hospital, Neil’s Harbour, Alexis (Burton) MacDonald, April 6, 1945-December 22, 2017, at the age of 72, passed away peacefully, after being diagnosed a month earlier with lung cancer.
Alexis was the daughter of the late Alex (1914-1995) and Mary (1919-2011) (Stewart) Burton. She was born on April 6, 1945 in Dunakyn, Glencoe Mills while her father was serving in North West Europe with the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II.
In December when Alexis was nine months of age, her parents and older sister, Peggy decided to move to St. Margaret’s Village and start raising their family.
Mom was known for always having her teapot on, to welcome friends and family from near and far. In her past time, she enjoyed checking Facebook, playing Bingo Blitz, tending to her flower gardens, scratch tickets, and playing Lexicon. She loved going to Sydney to get away for a day, stopping in at Value Village- her favourite store, and eating at Simeon’s would be considered a good trip. Going to Shelly’s in Cheticamp to get her hair done, shopping at the Green Door, and lastly eating at the Evangeline was a monthly routine.
Alexis, with her late husband, Hughie and their fur baby, Prince, always looked forward to “going away for a week or so” in September. Whether it be going to Stewiacke, to spend time at their cabin with their friends, Diane and Red and “the crew”, or going over to PEI or Newfoundland. Not forgetting to make a stop in at St. Peter’s on the way back to visit friends Dana and Leonard. No matter where they went, they always enjoyed their road trips together, especially if they came across a good yard sale; namely the 50 mile Yard Sale in Stewiacke!
Alexis treasured playing bingo with her sister, Peggy, exchanging books with her sister, Liz, sharing history with her brother, Murdock and having her evening tea with her youngest sister, Theresa. Alexis was known as being a social butterfly. Always assisting to those in need in any way she could, and trying her best to support anything that would benefit somebody, whether it was a dinner, bingo, bake sale, or flea market.
Alexis was an active member of the St. Margaret’s CWL for many years, and also the Pal’s group.
Alexis is survived by children, Mary Christine ‘Tootsi’ (Lawrence), Gerald, Charlotte (Clyde), Hughenia (Reg) and Heather (Troy); special granddaughter, Cherilyn; daughter-in-law, Sheila; cherished grandmother to 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sisters, Peggy Petrie, Dingwall, Elizabeth (Gordon) MacKillop, Glace Bay, Theresa MacKinnon (Kenneth ‘Brother’), St Margaret’s Village; brother, Murdock (Violet) Burton, White Point; aunts, Judy Buffet, Lizzie Burton and Mary Burton; uncle, Adolph Stacey; brother-in-law, Sam (Colleen) Thistle; sister-in-law, Martta McDonald; godchildren, Paula Bonin and Georgenia MacKinnon; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and her fur baby, Prince.
Besides her parents, Alexis was predeceased by her beloved husband of 53 years, Hughie J. MacDonald (1942-2016); parents-in-law, John (1901-1977) and Christine (1912-1943) (Fraser) MacDonald and John Simon (1905-1985) and Mary Ann (1908-1983) (MacKinnon) Fraser; brothers, George (1948-1973) and Jimmy (1951-1973); sister, Carol (1941-1986) O’Brien; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Petrie, Raymond MacKinnon, Jim McDonald and Hector MacDonald; sisters-in-law, Margaret Boutillier, Annie Beatrice (Burke) Brushett, and grandchildren, William and Tayler MacDonald and Hugh Murdock Fraser. Alexis will be missed by her family, community, and friends especially, Dana and Leonard Digout, Scott Lutke and Meredith Madison, Annette and Paul Bonin, Red and Diane McNeil, Kevin and Dodie McNeil, Marion and Stanley Affleck, Joyce MacDonald, Mary and Steve Rasmussen, Florence Fraser and family, Glenda Langille, and by her childhood friend who she remained close to throughout her life, Carol MacKinnon.
Alexis will best be remembered for her unwavering devotion and commitment to her family and friends. She was a pillar of strength to all, but most of all to her loved ones.
A gathering of family and friends to celebrate the late Alexis MacDonald will be held at St. Margaret’s of Scotland Church, Fr. James MacLean Room, in St. Margaret’s Village today (Wednesday, December 27, 2017) from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and again on Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be followed at 2 p.m. on Thursday with Fr. Duncan MacIssac officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery, St. Margaret’s Village. Following the committal a reception catered by the C.W.L will be held in the Fr. James Room, St. Margaret’s Village.
Donations in memory of Alexis may be made to St. Margaret’s CWL.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Buchanan Memorial Hospital, for the love and care given to mom and us during her time of need. Also special thanks to Dr. Robert MacNeil at the pain clinic at Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
In remembrance of Alexis please take a long deep breath of fresh air, and enjoy life while you can.
As Momma would say; “Teas On”.
Send an online condolence.
Online Condolences
Dear family my deepest condolences,she was everything you described and much much more, got to know her in 2011 and she was and will both be Big Hugh and Alexis my friends Will never forget drewling over her posts"Boiled dinner is on"I had told her one day was going to surprise her and pop in her answer alwsys was there's room at my table God love them both RIP XO
From: Pierrette Roach
Sincere sympathy to the family of Alexis. Such a sudden and Unexpected death is difficult for each and everyone of you. May she rest in peace.
From: Mary MacNeil
you were good friends to all the met you and you will be missed by all. R.I.P
From: Frank Campbell & Mary MacNeil
To Alexis' family. So sorry to hear of your loss.I went to school with Alexis. Judy (MacDonald) Murphy
From: Judy Murphy
My deepest condolence`s to the Burton family in your time of sorrow.. my Brother Leonard and his wife Dana spoke of you often and love you all,, again my deepest sympathies at this time, may she rest in peace and God keep her in his loving arms forever…
From: Clarence Digout
To all relatives of Lexi I am sending my deepest sympathy upon hearing of her death! She was such a wonderful woman who not only adored her husband but whose family meant the world to her! Her door was always opened and her kitchen was the center of her home. I have many happy memories of her which i will hold forever in my heart! I know that she is at peace now and happy to be reunited with Hughie! Both have taught their children how to carry on in life and to pass their love and morals to their own families. I am sorry that i am unable ro make it down for the funeral but i will be thinking about you all and sending you all prayers for strength to help get you through this tough time!
From: Diane ( Fraser) Delaney
So sorry for your loss. She was a lovely lady
From: Deborah Zwicker
So sorry for the loss of your Dear mother our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Val and Linda
From: Val and Linda tingley
Liz and Family Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your Family hugs
From: Garfield and Jean Shaw
Please accept our deepest condolences for you loss.
From: Bernice (Burton) and Wayne Tremblay
To my dear family and cousins I can only say Alexis was one great person full of life and loved a good laugh. Taken far to soon and sorry this was so late but my brother Barry was in hospital for back surgery or else we both would have attended Alexis funeral. We are both so sorry for you loss and we both love you all.
From: Audrey Burton