MacLeod (Harnish), Elsie Rose

Sydney, NS

November 3, 1932 - November 6, 2025

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our sister, Elsie Rose MacLeod at Cape Breton Regional Hospital on November 6, 2025, just three days past her 93rd birthday.

Elsie was born in Grand Anse, Richmond County, to the late Ida and Kitchener Harnish.

She graduated from St. Peters High School and the Provincial Normal college, one of the youngest people to do so. She taught in schools in St. Peters, Sampsonville and Sterling before marrying John “Jack” MacLeod and moving to British Columbia. They lived and taught in small native coastal villages, Port Simpson, Hartley Bay and Bella Bella. In the late 60s they moved to Vancouver where Elsie enrolled in the University of British Columbia and obtained her Bachelor of Education degree then did substitute term teaching in Vancouver and surrounding areas.

Family meant everything to Elsie and for 50 years, every summer, she travelled by train across Canada to spend summers in St. Peters with her family. Her arrival was always greatly anticipated by her parents and siblings. For many years she led a weeklong Vacation Bible School at St. Peters United Church which was largely attended and enjoyed by the children of the community.

Elsie and Jack returned to Cape Breton in 2010 to retire close to family and settled in Sydney. Unfortunately, Jack passed away in 2015 after 60 years of marriage.

Elsie was a kind, generous, dignified person, always willing to help out whenever needed. She will be greatly missed.

Elsie is survived by her sisters, Carolyn (Frank) Jones, Sydney and Lynn (Dennis) Barnhill, Greenfield; sisters-in-law, Donna Harnish, St. Peters and Rosena Harnish, Sydney; brothers-in-law, Larry Hosanna, Thunder Bay, Alan Blois, Halifax and Cliff Brannan, Thunder Bay; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sisters, Sandy Murrin, Becky Hosanna, Mary Blois, Bessie Cullen, Shirley Brannan, Ronola Stone, and Eileen MacRae; brothers, Robert, Bill, Basil, Buddie and one brother in infancy.

Special thanks to Elise's niece, Angela Blinkhorn who cared for her this past year with great compassion.

Visitation will take place Friday, November 14th in Sydney Memorial Chapel from 4-6 pm. Funeral service will be held Saturday, November 15th at 11 am in St. Peters United Church, St. Peters with Pastor Keith Wiseman officiating. Interment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the IWK, SPCA or St. Peters United Church.