Obituary of Elaine Delaney

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Elaine Delaney, age 80 of Merigomish, on July 27, 2024 at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, surrounded by her family.

Born in New Glasgow and raised in Ardness, Pictou County, Elaine graduated from the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1963 as a Registered Nursing Assistant and worked at hospitals in Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver, and Victoria over the following 12 years before marrying and becoming a stay-at-home mom in Pictou County. She was an excellent homemaker, doting on her girls, attending their school activities, cooking, baking, nurturing a large vegetable garden, and taking care of her family. Eventually, she pursued part-time work that allowed her to be with her daughters when they weren’t in school. After all, summers were for the beach!

In her mid-40s, Elaine took on a new challenge and learned how to drive a school bus. What started as a part-time position turned into 20 years of full-time employment with the local school board. She genuinely cared about her young passengers, safely transporting students from her own rural community to and from school each day. Many of these students held a special place in her heart, especially once her own nest was empty.

As a mom, she loved skiing with her family at Keppoch and spending every summer day at the beach with her daughters when they were growing up. If there was a wild storm, she took her girls to the shore to chase the tides up close. During their high school years, she enjoyed taking them on frequent shopping excursions to Halifax and even a few to New England. When they wanted to move away for university or career, she was the first one to say, “Go for it! You can do it.”

As a life partner, she stood by Gerard through thick and thin and was the glue on the home front. Saturday night was always “date night”. They enjoyed decades-long friendships with several other couples, fun vacations with friends and family, and uncountable visits to Ontario and Alberta to visit the grandkids.

Active and fit, over the years Elaine enjoyed skiing, kayaking, brisk walks, and bike rides with Gerard at Big Island. She treasured her art group community and created many beautiful paintings over the past 30 years. She loved a good book, going to the movies, gardening, baking, and following politics and current affairs. She consistently volunteered in her community, most recently with Meals on Wheels and the St. Mary’s parish council.

Elaine was a loving and devoted mother, mother-in-law and Gram, always just a phone call or text away for her daughters...ready to listen, advise or laugh as the situation warranted. When the family visited for extended summer vacations, her home was ready. Beach days, beautiful meals, home-baked desserts, countless late-night chats and laughs in the “summer room”...memories we hold close. Home was not so much a place or physical location. Just being with her or talking to her was home.

She was fiercely independent, resilient, generous, funny, smart, and brave.

Profoundly missed and forever loved, she is survived by her husband of 49 years Gerard Delaney, daughters Christa (Trevor Sanders) and Dawn. The ultimate joys of Elaine’s life were her four grandchildren, William, Charlotte, Isaac and Ruby.

Elaine is also survived by her sister and best friend, Marilyn Woods (Don Jeffrey); Butler brothers Leo (Tillie), Don, Lionel, Carl (Roxane), and Paul; and sister Irma Delaney. She was a cherished sister-in-law and friend to her Delaney family: Bill (Patricia), Martin (Mary Jo), and Harold (Brenda). She was a caring aunt to her nieces and nephews, and a beloved godmother to John Woods and Melinda Butler. She was predeceased by her parents, Allan and Mary (MacDonald) Butler; parents-in-law, Jim and Mary (MacGillivray) Delaney; sister-in-law Connie Delaney; and brother-in-law Pete Delaney.

The family will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 1 with Father Colin F. MacKinnon presiding. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Lismore.

The family extends sincere appreciation to the VON nurses and home care team, especially Julie, Karen and Eva, who allowed Elaine to live her final year comfortably at home, where she relished her beautiful view of the Merigomish Harbour and every sunset. Thank you to family physician Dr. Stephen Gallant, whose steadfast support and friendship will never be forgotten. Thank you to Dr. Mohammad Fahim, whose encouragement and expertise made a difference in Elaine’s journey with pulmonary fibrosis and undoubtedly improved her quality of life. Thank you to Dr. Melanie MacCara, Respiratory Therapist Allison Grant and fourth floor nurses at the Aberdeen Hospital (especially Michaela and Katie) for your care and compassion in Elaine’s final days. Huge gratitude to Elaine’s incredible circle of friends, neighbours and community, whose visits, calls, deliveries of homemade meals and treats, and all manner of support brightened Elaine’s final months.

Family flowers only. Donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to the St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund.

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Lovingly written by family.