McIsaac Notes
by John Dye


Reel 1172-1922-11-5
At Inverness, February 17, Mrs. James MacIsaac, after some weeks of suffering, during which her resignation was a lesson to all her friends. She was a practical Christian and when she died the poor of her neighbourhood lost a practical friend, and the calling public a kind and wholesouled(?) hostess. She was the oldest daughter of the late Alexander MacDougall, of Broad Cove Banks, and a cousin of the late Bishop Cameron. Her husband predeceased her by several years. She was the mother of six sons and seven daughters, of whom all the sons are living and all the daughters but one, dead. In the rearing of those children both parents shared the ordinary lot of good pastoral people, they worked hard, lived aright and made it a study to be happy. Many are they who will remember the …. kindness and good offices of Anne MacIsaac. She died, well prepared in her 67th year and was buried in Stella Maris cemetery, Inverness, February 19, in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowful friends. Ended now is and earthly life of cheerful toll(?) of willing sacrifices and of noble outlook. May the new life which has now begun be happy peaceful and glorious for ever and ever.


Reel 1186 1936-35-2
McIsaac - At the home of her son Francis at Doyle's Station, Nfld., Dec. 14 1935, Mrs. Alexander McIsaac (nee Matilda Cormier). She was laid to rest in St. Ann's cemetery, Searston. Deceased, who was 89(?) years of age, moved from Margaree with her parents 32 years ago to Grand River, where the father Isadore Cormier hewed out a fertile farm. She was married at an early age to Alexander McIsaac from Scotland. Witty, charitable, religious and courageous, she created an unperishable memory in the hearts of all who knew her. Interested in everything progressive and capable of turning her hands from the heavy work of the farm to the loom and finest needlework, the grand old lady made a lasting impression of industry on all who knew her. She became the mother of 14 children, six of whom are now living: Francis McIsaac, Doyle's; Michael McIsaac, St. Andrew's; Mrs. Alexander Gale, Millville; George McIsaac, Lingan, C. B.; and Joseph and William McIsaac, Concord, N. H. For years the deceased was the most favoured and successful nurse in the Valley, having assisted at the births of 300 children. She was the grandmother of 75 children, the great-grandmother of 70; and the godmother of 36 children. To most of the latter she usually contrived to send a remembrance at Christmas, and it was while doing this work of love that she received her last call. R. I. P.

JD