Mary Blanche Cann

Gabarus

We, the family, are heartbroken to announce the passing of our mother and friend, Blanche (MacDonald) Cann on Friday, December 13, 2024, in Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney.

Born at home in Gabarus on November 9, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Roddie and Teresa (MacDonald) MacDonald.

Blanche spent her childhood in the difficulties of the Great Depression. She spent a week on Guyon Island with her best friend from school during an August gale just before World War II broke out. Blanche took her Grade 11 in Louisbourg, her family renting Zach MacAulay’s house, while her father worked on the submarine net and her mother gave piano lessons. The next year she took the train to Truro for Teachers College, crossing the Canso Strait on the train ferry.

Her first teaching position was at the two-room schoolhouse in Fourchu, where she boarded with the MacDonald’s during the week, and took the Stirling Bus home to Gabarus on the weekends.

Blanche taught at the two-room school in Gabarus, the little schoolhouse in Sandfield, and was a substitute teacher at Marion Bridge and Dutch Brook. Over the years, many of her students commented on what a good teacher she was.

Blanche was a founding member of Bethel UCW, accompanied the Mira Fiddlers and was an organist at St. Columba Presbyterian Church, Marion Bridge for many years.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Harvey; and a sister in infancy.

Blanche is survived by her daughter, Beverley, Coxheath; sons, Gary (Kathrynne), Dean (Cheryl), Portage and Kevin, Marion Bridge; grandsons, Harvey (Tina) Hannem and Justin Cann (Holly Scott and her son, Cooper Harris); granddaughters, Kaitlyn Cann (Kendall MacPhee) and Chelsie Cann; and great-granddaughter, Samantha Hannem.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Sydney Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be held in Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday, December 20th from 11-1 pm, followed by a service in the chapel at 1 pm with Rev. Lydia MacKinnon officiating. Interment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Gabarus.

Memorials may be made to the Lakeview Cemetery Fund, Gabarus.

Special thanks to the County Homemakers and Continuing Care, who enabled her to stay home in Marion Bridge an extra two years, and the nursing staff at Harbourstone for her end-of-life care.

Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.com