Sydney
With her family unprepared for a world without her, Eleanor McVicar died on Sunday, March 27, 2022, after a brief but fierce battle with cancer.
The two people who called her Mom – Ian (Anita) and Todd (Jane) – know with certainty that they grew up with the best mother to ever grace the earth. Her five grandsons, Kyle (Courtney), Colin (Siobhan), Sean, Cameron, and Breton, called her Nannie, as did the five great-grandchildren, two of them gave her – Carly, Payton, Georgia, Carson and…of course…Little Eleanor. (The joy she felt at having a granddaughter named after her was unmatched.) They knew a grandmother who was loving, mischievous, and ready-to-spoil. Everyone else who was blessed to know her called her Midge, and they knew a woman with a quick wit and an irreverent sense of humour.
Like so many women of her generation, Midge was underestimated. A woman so tiny in stature it earned her the nickname Midge, she was born the daughter of a New Waterford coal miner – a life defined by challenges and difficulties that can only be understood by other coal-mining families. Before the age of twenty, she had assumed the role that was the presumed destiny for so many women of her time, that of wife and mother. Midge, however, was more than that…so much more. There ran within her a core of steel few would have suspected…a core of steel that was tempered by a capacity for compassion rarely seen anymore.
Following the birth of her sons, she returned to her studies and balanced her commitment to family with a strong desire to prove herself. She knew herself well enough to know that her biggest asset was her heart, and her greatest skill was her capacity for caring. Becoming a nurse while mothering her young sons required a level of dedication and sacrifice few can command. Strong women come from strong women and Midge’s mother, wanting more for Midge than she had herself, stepped in to care for Midge’s babies while she studied. By day she attended school and by night she cared for her family often studying into the wee hours for success she craved. Her hard work paid off and she graduated with the top prize for bedside manner. Following her studies, Midge supported her family working as a nurse at St. Rita’s Hospital and then at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital until a severe injury forced her into retirement. On 4C at the Regional, Midge was known as the woman to call when an IV insertion was hard to get.
Following her retirement, Midge settled into the life she had worked so hard to build. For many years, she spent a month in Florida just to forget that winter was not her favourite season. She also wanted her boys to know the wonders of Disney Land. Dougie, Midge, Ian, and Todd created many wonderful memories there. Midge also loved a good road trip. She and Dougie logged thousands of miles in the antique Buick. After Dougie’s passing, she made both Todd and Ian maintain the tradition, with a new tradition of stopping at the Bayside for poutine. But, only after a somewhat failed, but gleeful, attempt to pilot the Buick herself. For Midge, there was nothing like eating out…she loved a meal she didn’t have to cook. She also spent much of her retirement trying to convince her husband to watch scary movies with her…a guilty pleasure that always needed a watching buddy to minimize the fright factor.
In many ways, Midge was a bundle of contradictions, she was a homebody who loved adventures. Her mother was her partner in crime for many years. Weekends and summers spent at the family cottage were filled with love, laughter, and swear-words. Midge once said, “if the walls of that cottage could talk, I would have to burn it down”. She was a kind and gentle woman who, when provoked, could swear like a sailor. Cathy Matlock – her other partner in crime – can attest to that. Midge was small but mighty; tough but gentle; and confident but self conscious. In some ways, it was these contradictions that made her so amazing to know…so amazing to spend time with.
Midge also excelled at creating. She created memories that will see her family though their unspeakable loss. Ask Ian about “having tea with the Queen” – a nightly ritual of more than 10 years in which he and his mother would wrap up each day with a cup of tea, a good conversation, and more than a few laughs. Or chat with Colin about his weekly (sometimes daily) lunch and laughs with his grandmother. Midge’s hands were never still, and she was a regular at the Wednesday night knitting class at Moraffs where she made stockings and socks for the people she loved. And…if you were lucky enough to be within her orbit, she constructed more good times than what should be legal.
No stranger to loss, Midge was pre-deceased by her husband, Doug McVicar; parents, Anthony and Mary Matlock; brothers, Tony, Francis and sister, Sheila. Left to find their way in a world without her are her sons – Ian, accomplished business owner and Todd, who serves his country in the Canadian Navy. She is also survived by her brother, John; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her remaining partner in crime, Cathy Matlock; many nieces and nephews; and her darling fur-baby Lily.
Midge liked swear words that rhymed, sugary treats, and a good western. She loved her boys and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren they gave her. And, she was utterly devoted to her dog, Lily. She leaves a large space no amount of time will fill. She rests now, held forever in the hearts of the people who loved her. At a time we need it the most, she leaves us with the extraordinary beauty of her simple human heart.
There will be no visitation. Memorial service to celebrate the life of Midge McVicar will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Interment will take place in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Scotchtown.
Donations in memory of Midge may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
So sorry to hear of the passing of Midge. We of course knew her best during our Kinsmen/Kinettes days. So many good memories. Please accept our sincere condolences.
From: Bill & Millie Roberts
Beautiful woman who will be missed by so many, and yet so many wonderful people will be at heaven’s gates to greet her. The world’s loss is their gain for sure. God bless your broken heats! RIP Aunt Midge
Cherish your memories and Celebrate her life. Sincere Condolences to all who mourn. RIP Midge! Henry & Judy Jewer
May you Rest In Peace. I had the privilege of having you in my life for more than 25 years. My heart and unending love go out to all of you that remain to mourn. Blessings upon you all.
Condolences to Midge’s family & close friends .I worked with Midge at St Rita’s & 4C ,she was a beautiful person that loved Dougie & her boys so much .She was always up for a little excitement .Her obituary is beautiful & says so much about her .Heaven has gained a remarkable woman .
So sorry to hear about your loss, I believe that all nurses are Angles. RIP
What a shock!! Our condolences to the family. She was a lovely woman and will be missed
Condolences to Midges family. It was a great pleasure to work with her at St Rita’s & 4C at The Cape Breton Regional. She was a very kind & gentle person & an amazing compassionate Nurse. She will be greatly missed. RIP Midge.
So sorry for your loss. Condolences to the family.
To the Family, I Am so sorry for your loss ,please accept my sincere condolences & prayers, R.I.P. Beautiful Lady
So very sad to read of Midges passing. A great co worker, Midge was one of the St Rita’s finest. Heaven is a better place. Condolences to her boys and their families.
I worked with Midge at St Rita’s and 4C Midge was a lovely person and a kind ,compassionate nurse .My condolences to her family and friends .May you find peace and solace in her loving memories. God Bless
So very sorry for the loss of your mother Ian and Todd and to all your families she was such a great lady and will be missed by all who knew her or came in her path our condolences and prayers are with you
So sorry to read this!I trained as a C.N.A. with her neice Charmaine who told me about how great her aunt was,I got to find this out for myself at St. Rita when I continued my studies.She was a great lady and a great nurse.
On behalf of the Gilford McVicar family I send our sincerest condolences.
Kyle, Courtney and Family: Sending sincerest condolences on the passing of your mother/grandmother. May all the wonderful memories you have shared together bring you peace, comfort and strength during this most difficult time.
I was so sorry to read of Midge’s passing . She was my Senior when we were in training at St Rita’s. she was always friendly to us as junior students. I haven’t seen her in many years but I’ll always remember her kindness . As a nurse for all these year ,I know how much it means to others. Her obituary speaks to a life well lived & enjoyed but much too short . My condolences to her family & friends . I know she will be sorely missed.
Bev. Libbey Devereaux
Condolences to Ian and Todd and family. Aunt Midge was a beautiful lady she will be missed. RIP Midge
Ian & Anita ♥️ & families.
I am so sorry to read of the passing of your beautiful Mom. I have the fondest memories of her, always sharing in her laughter, while visiting the salon. May your wonderful memories of her remain in your hearts and minds forever. You are in our thoughts & prayers at this time.
RIP sweet lady.
Ian and Anita and family,I am so sorry for your loss. Love and prayers
My condolences to Ian and Todd and there families on the passing of there Mother. Rest in the though that Dougie and Midge are planning the road trip in that old Buick.My prayers and thoughts are with all of you on this day God
Is Good
David and I are very sorry to hear of Midge’s passing. She was indeed a loving mother and grandmother, and always proud of you all. Her obituary describes her so well. We will remember her with the kinds of thoughts she always portrayed in her actions…thoughtfulness and sincerity. Our hearts are with you at this very sad time.
Todd and Jane, so sorry for your loss. Reading her obituary she reminded me of my own mom, a great Irish woman taken too early as well. There is a lot of Irish in Cape Breton and in Cape Breton you are always welcomed as family. I hope you all assemble and have a great big party to celebrate her life, remember all the fun, laughter and love she brought to her family, her co-workers and friends . I am sure she would want it this way.
My deepest condolences to you all. Hugs and prayers.
Ian, Anita and Family. So sorry to hear about Midge. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May she Rest In Peace.
My condolences to all Midge’s family. She was a very lovely person.
The McVicar Family;
Sorry to read of Midge’s passing, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Stan and Estelle Reppa
Todd and I an, I am so sorry for your loss condolences to the family