Obituary of Mary Bell MacDonald

Mary Isabell “Mary Bell” MacDonald, 79, Little Harbour, passed away peacefully, Sunday, December 14, 2025, at home with her son, Jim and daughter-in-law, Jillian by her side.

Born in Thorburn, she was a daughter of the late James Jardine and Marjorie Louise (Robson) Forsythe. She was employed as a dietary assistant with the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow for 28 years prior to retirement.  She enjoyed camping and time spent at Harbour Lights Campground with her late husband, Collie. She will be affectionately remembered by her family as a sweet, loving and honest woman. Mary Bell always put her family first. Her hospitality was well known, and no one ever left her home hungry. For Mary Bell, “Life has changed; not ended!” She will live eternally in the hearts of those she loved.

Surviving are her daughter, Donna Colleen Livingstone (Greg Hillier), New Glasgow; James Colin “Jim” MacDonald (Jillian Morine), Kentville; granddaughters, Kaitlyn (Mitch) Polley, Moncton, N.B.; Tapanga MacDonald (Jordan), New Glasgow; Tabrina MacDonald (Christian), Scotch Hill; great-grandson, Jack Robert Polley, Moncton; step-granddaughter, Kelsey Morine-Reid (Bailey Smith), Kentville; step-great, grandchildren, Isabella, and Oliver Morine-Smith, Kentville; sisters, Kay Gratto, Thorburn; Margaret Ann Guerin, Mississauga, Ont.; brother, William “Billy” (Pat) Forsythe, Thorburn; sister-in-law, Bertha Ryan, Hamilton, Ont.; brothers-in-law, Tom MacDonald, Pictou Landing; Jack Hammond, Laggan; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Colin Robert “Collie” MacDonald; son, John Allan MacDonald; sister, Marjorie Campbell; sisters-in-law, Annie Jane, Lizzie, Mary, Mabel, Loretta, Goldie, Margaret “Peggy”, Louise and Isabel; brothers-in-law, William, Joseph, Angus, Dan, and Spurgeon “Spurge”; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 17 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow from where funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, December 18 with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson presiding. Spring interment will be in Heatherdale Memorial Gardens.

Family flowers only. Donations may be made in memory of Mary Bell to the Canadian Cancer Society.

For funeral service livestream, please click HERE.