MacMillan, Catherine (Kaye)

Port Hawkesbury, NS

June 8, 1928 - May 22, 2025

Our Mom, Catherine MacMillan, or Kaye, or Cathy or Nanny was born on June 8th , 1928. Her Mom, Annie Fortune, from Judique, was a Cape Breton girl, who went down the road for work and adventure. Annie met and married Jack Semmens, the Captain of the mines in Kirkland Lake Ontario and that is where Mom was born.

Mom was the big sister to Mary, Terry, Micky and Jackie. Her Dad was not thrilled to have five girls, and they did not have a happy family. Our Gram Annie (Gramannie) did her best, but it was Mom, who was an old soul from the start, who cared for and sheltered her younger sisters from their volatile family life. They were in and out of orphanages and foster homes, but Mom was always the rock for her sisters throughout their difficult childhood. As the years went on Mom’s great love and caring was a constant for her mom, her sisters and all her nieces and nephews. She watched over and loved family members wherever they were. Despite how harsh life was for Mom as a child, she was always able to choose love, forgiveness and humor over bitterness, an awesome display of strength and resilience.

A dance in the Judique Hall and a broken shoe strap started a romance and love that never ended. Collie MacMillan was a wise choice, but Mom always said it was his good looks and good dancing that won her over. She also said he was great to neck with. She fell in love with a good, good man, a partner she could depend on no matter what life threw at them. They didn’t have much money but together they had many children. After years of moving back and forth across Canada for work, they settled in Cape Breton. Wherever they landed, Mom insisted on indoor plumbing. While Dad was renovating every house, Mom fed all the friends and relatives who dropped by for meals and tea.

They were great neighbours and enjoyed years of bowling and cardplaying with friends. Our home was always a place of welcome, with great food and lots of wonderful baking. Mom made up for all the Christmases she never had by making sure our Christmases were magical. She loved Christmas and didn’t mind spending money she never had so that Dad could keep working.

Mom had the great gift of being genuinely interested in everyone of all ages, including our friends and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She could relate with and befriends with everyone and had an abundance of compassion and humour. Oh, how she loved stories and the laughter and love that surrounded the best stories. Mom was much wiser than she gave herself credit for. She was an avid reader and blessed with many artistic talents, some on display and many unfulfilled. Her strength in writing was exceptional and we wish she handwritten so much more.

Mom’s idea of exercise was a walk through the mall with more chatting and visiting than walking, but she was blessed with a long, long life. Mom and Dad had seven children: Wayne(Theresa), Gary (Anne), Jack, Walter (Donna), Anne (Tom), Tony (died at birth) and Mary(Graham). She enjoyed and adored her 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. As she moves on, she leaves behind so many people who loved and admired her. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends and so many people who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Like all of us, Mom had many questions about the church, heaven and what comes next. Will she be with Dad and all her loved ones? Mom lived such a good life full of forgiveness and love. We trust that she is now at peace and surrounded by a wonderful love.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 7-9pm on Sunday May 25, 2025  at Green's Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday May 26, 2025 at 10am from St. Joseph's Parish, Port Hawkesbury; Rev. Joby Augustin, officiating.

Interment will take place at 2:00pm at St. Peter's Cemetery, Port Hood.

Donations in Mom's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice.