Coxheath
“A valiant woman, who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls. Many women have done admirable things. But you surpass them all” – Proverbs
It is with broken hearts that we, the family, announce the passing of Mary Irene Melski (nee Dezagiacomo) on October 19, 2020 after a brief, sudden illness. Mary passed away peacefully at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by her children. She is now in the embrace of the Lord she prayed to every day of her devoted life of faith.
Born on October 8, 1942 in Glace Bay, Mary was the proud daughter of her dearest father, the late Michael and mother, Christine (MacDonald) Dezagiacomo.
Mary was a reverent Catholic and member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Sydney River. She received her education at the Nova Scotia Teachers College and was a much-loved elementary school teacher at many schools in and around Sydney. An incredibly kind and generous woman to all who met her, Mary was dedicated to her family and to her adoring husband, Bernie Melski, to whom she was happily married for 44 years until his passing in 2012.
With all her heart, Mary loved Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and His many Saints, especially Padre Pio. She spent much of her life in prayer and faithfully administered the Eucharist to the elderly and sick at R.C. MacGillivray Guest Home, and to palliative care patients, even braving snowstorms to share God’s love with those in direst need. She always chose to see the good in people, was well known for driving neighbours without vehicles to mass, for the many novenas she prayed for others, and for volunteering at Loaves and Fishes.
Mary loved reading and the outdoors, especially family reunions in Margaree and Ingonish, and was much admired for her hiking ability even into her later years. She loved the views along the Cabot Trail where she felt especially close to God’s majesty, and spent a spirited last birthday on Thanksgiving weekend in Margaree, surrounded by family, laughter, singing and music, with stunning autumn colors at their peak.
A woman of wisdom, dignity and grace, Mary was the most beautiful mom one could ask for. An angel on earth, she was beyond selfless and kind to her four children, who will grieve the loss of this most special lady for the rest of their days. She was the beating heart of the family and there is no doubt she went straight to heaven when she surrendered to her illness. She will be missed and remembered every day, but with the knowledge she is now in the divine light of her Lord and finally reunited with her beloved soulmate Bernie. She taught her children a simple prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you”. We now entrust our mother to her bounteous reward with Jesus.
Mary is survived by her children, Michael Melski, Halifax, Anne Marie Kerr (Scott), Big Ridge, Sandra Long (Tony), Florida, Christopher Melski (Karen), Singapore. She was a gentle and loving grandmother to Hannah Elizabeth and Anthony Joshua Long, and Kaia and Kinley Melski. Much loved friend to Susan Ongo and Karen Lewis, Malcolm and Ann Lewis, Senley and Mary Ann White, Harvey and Paula MacDonald, Bob and Karen Walker, and sisters-in-law, Frances Turnbull and Julie (John) MacLean. She is also survived by brothers, John (Colleen) and Michael Dezagiacomo; sister, Elizabeth Dezagiacomo MacIsaac (Angus) and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Mary was predeceased by her sister, Carol.
The family would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the medical staff of the hospital for their efforts and care of Mary in her time of need.
There will be no visitation for the late Mary Melski. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. in Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Full social distancing measures in effect and masks required. Interment to take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Loaves and Fishes, Charlotte Street, Sydney, or any charity of your choice that offers care to the hungry, homeless or needy.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Sorry for your loss of your sister Mary. To you and your family we send our sincerest condolences. Craig, Liz, Ryan and Tara
From: Craig Vincent
Chris, you are one of the nicest guys I’ve ever had the opportunity to know and a big part of that was having a mother as awesome as Mary. I am so sorry to see this. She is one of the rare people everyone she knows wishes she’d just live forever. Wishing you and everyone she knew saw this under better circumstances. Tasty Treat forevah!
From: Chad Bryden
Rest in the arms of your Lord and Savior whom you served so faithfully. A good woman gone to the Lord; Prayers for family and extended family. Rest in peace
From: Dr. Sr. Mary Shaw
So sorry for your loss. Mary was such a wonderful, caring person. She will be missed.
From: Danette (MacDonald) MacRae
May God grant you eternal rest Mary. Jesus I Trust in You. Amen +++
From: Moira Anne Walsh
My sincere condolences on the loss of your beautiful Mother. She is a lovely servant of God.
Eternal rest grant unto her O LORD , and let Perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.
From: Mary Jaques
Michael, Ann Marie, Sandra, Chris
We were saddened to hear of the loss of your Mom…She was a beautiful lady and will be missed by all who knew her..
From: Frank and Wanda Roach
Michael,
So sorry for the loss of your sister Mary. To you and your family, I offer my sincere condolences. May the emptiness left in your heart by Mary’s passing be filled with memories of her that will always comfort you. Rest in peace well -earned Mary.
Allan Ferguson
My sincere condolences to the family and extended family of Mary.
Mary was a gentle, sweet lady who always had an infectious smile… a kind and prayerful lady. God rest her soul and give peace to all who knew Mary. R.I.P.
Michael I am saddened to hear of your sisters passing, I remember so well your family at St Anne’s the Dezagiacomo’s were such a big part of Glace Bay.
May she rest in peace.
I am so sorry on learning of Mary’s passing, we were Eucharistic ministers at the hospital. She was such a lovely person and dearly loved her family. I really can’t believe she is gone.
So sorry to hear about Mary, we knew her and her family for years, our prayers and thought go out to th Maliki and degiacamo family
John, Colleen & family
Please acceot my condolences on Mary’s passing. She was a wonderful lady who will bd missed by all who loved her.
Carol Ann (Hood) MacPhee
Sincere sympathy on your loss of Mary. She was a beautiful lady and we had such wonderful gatherings. God Bless.
I am truly sorry to learn of Mary’s passing. She was such a beautiful person, so warm and welcoming. I hope your fond memories will help you through this very difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless.
Michael I am so sorry for your loss my deepest condolences to you and your family . God bless my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Michael,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. God bless. I will say prayers for you and yours during this heartbreaking time.
Michael, I am very sorry for your loss. Deepest condolences to you and your family during this hard time. May her memory be a comfort to you all.
Michael, my deepest condolences to you and your entire family as you grieve the passing of your mom. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Michael and family,
Praise God for your beautiful mother who lived and loved on earth as she will in Heaven.
I am heartily sorry for the loss of your wonderfully holy mom and I pray you will be comforted in knowing she is with our Lord forever.
Blessings and light,
Diane.
So sorry to read this Michael. I wish I could say the pain will subside; sadly no, it just becomes easier to carry with time. Grieve well.
Mike and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. There are not enough words to describe what a beautiful person she was. To Michael, Ann Marie, Sandra, Chris, and families, we extend our sincere condolences.We know she will be greatly missed. Love and prayers being sent to all of you.
I’m sorry for your loss Michael. You Mum sounds like a wonderful woman. I know she’ll be missed.
Michael,
My deepest condolences to you and the rest of your family. What a wonderful tribute to read. How blest you all were to have her in your lives and how blest she was to have all of you in hers.
My deepest heartfelt sympathy to the immediate and extended family of Mary. A kind, caring and loving woman who always wore a smile and had a kind word for each person she met. When I think of Mary I think of this statement ‘ Take care Dear, was nice seeing you and be careful ‘ Each encounter with Mary ended with the above quote. How nice for the remaining family to know the impact their Mom, Sister , Aunt and friend had on so many people. I’d say Rest in Peace but I know you most certainly are at peace, cradled in the arms of God and reunited with your family.
Most sincere sympathy and condolences to the siblings, relatives and, especially the children and grandchildren of this gentle lady. We were happy to have known both Mary and her husband, Bernie, and the love and kindness they showed others is well-known and appreciated. Charles and Sharon know Mary will rest in peace.
I met Mary many times at the CBR Hospital over the past number of months and we had upbeat chats and reminiscences of bygone days. She was always concerned about others and her kindness shone through. To all of her loved ones my sincere condolences.
Our sincere condolences to the Dezagiacomo and Melski families as you mourn the loss of your beloved family member Mary.
Though her earthly journey is now over,our faith tells us, her soul is now and forever sharing in the light of the Lord’s presence and the joys of His kingdom.
RIP.
Michael, John, Betty and Family:
Our sincere condolences on the passing of your sister, Mary. May memories of happier days sustain you all during the difficult days ahead.
Condolences to the family. So sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all Mary;s family and friends, she was a lovely person and will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her R.I.P. my friend
Anne Marie and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a truly amazing woman who would lite up every room. Her grace, beauty, her intellect, humility, and giving spirit I will never forget. She listened to people with such empathy and really cared for people. She had a spirit the size of Canada and a smile that would brighten anyone’s day even in darkness. Mary you will be so missed, never forgotten for you have made a mark of love on everyone that was lucky enough to meet you. Sending my deepest heart felt condolences to the family.
Dear Melski and Dezagiacomo Families
I read with sadness the news of Mary’s death. I knew Mary from high school at St. Michael’s in Glace Bay and then throughout our lives we kept meeting. My last conversation with her was at weekday Mass at Our Lady of Fatima.
Please accept my sympathies and condolences, care and concern, friendship and prayer that Mary is with the Lord she loved and served.
God bless you all.
Fraternally,
Fr. Bedford Doucette