Howie Center
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Darlene Kathleen Susan MacInnis (Walsh) on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Sydney.
Darlene was originally from Sydney Forks and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Rose Walsh (Peters).
Her calling in life was to take care of everyone she loved. Married at an early age to her beloved husband of 51 years, Darlene gracefully transformed from a teenager to a loving, caring, responsible human being. She was, what we referred to as, “the domestic queen”. John was very blessed as her husband. As a mother to Kevin and Colleen, Darlene was ferociously protective, nurturing and loving. Sacrificing for whatever they needed came easy to Darlene.
In the early years, Darlene followed John to other parts of Canada for his work. Eventually they resided in Big Pond for many years. There she played an active and supportive role as a community member. She adopted the love of the Cape Breton Music and hosted many ceilidhs in what we respectfully named “the apartment”. In 1997, they moved to Howie Center where they resided for the remainder of their life together. Wherever Darlene lived, her door was always open to family, friends and neighbors. The ambiance she created was magically warm and inviting, filled with the delicious smell of freshly baked goods and suppers. The teapot was on continually and her skills as an exceptional home cook served us all very well. She laughed a lot, told stories with descriptive detail, always loved a joke, and lived her life with vigor and passion. Feeding everyone with her delicious food made her happy.
As a grandmother to her adoring grandchildren, Darlene shone the brightest. She earned their love, friendship and respect as did they in return.
Darlene was predeceased by her husband, John William ‘Willie’ in November of 2020 and besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her parents-in-law, Dan Joe and Christie MacInnis (MacIsaac); brother, Tommy; sister, Barbara Williams, and brother-in-law, Philip MacInnis.
Left to mourn and grieve are her son, Kevin; daughter, Colleen (Craig Mills); sister, Faye (Ron Dauphinee); brother, Glen (Debbie Buckles); sisters-in-law, Marie (Malcie MacPhee), Patricia (Kenny Hutchins), Jean (Simon Murray), Bernadette (Johnny MacNeil), and Trese (Jim MacNeil); brothers-in-law, Sheldon (Marlene), Jamie, Father George, and Donald (Chantelle); grandchildren, Riley and Madison MacInnis and Aidan and Rory Mills, who will miss her dearly. Also left to mourn is Lisa Thibodeau (MacNeil), for whom she loved like a daughter. Darlene will also be missed very much by her walking partner, Rose Hutchings.
We find comfort in knowing Darlene was ready to pass over into the arms of her loved ones gone before her, especially John William. Her faith allowed her to surrender to her illness with strength and peacefulness. She passed away at the Palliative Care Unit in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with family members by her side. The family want to thank the kindness and empathy shown by the Palliative Care Team, especially Dr. Burns, Heather Skinner and her special VON nurses. In addition, we would like to extend our greatest appreciation of care and support to Arlene Billard (NP, Oncology and Cancer Unit). We wish to express our very sincere thanks to her guardian angels: Geraldine MacPhee, Arlene MacDonald and Marie MacPhee.
As per Darlene’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service. She will be laid to rest in the Big Pond Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Big Pond Community Firehall.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
“To be loved is to live in someone’s heart forever.”
Online Condolences
To all the family members of Darlene Mac Innis, please accept our condolences for your loved one. We are sorry to hear of her passing. Our prayers are with you all Kevin and Colleen and family
From: Joan Murphy
We are so deeply saddened by Darlene’s passing. She always had that witty smile and tales to tell. We all so enjoyed having her attend our Chick a Dee group from younger years We had many stories to tell and she always filled in parts we couldn’t remember. May you RIP my sweet gal. Fly high with all our special Angels.
From: Barry & Starla Costello
Colleen, Kevin, and families , please accept my heartfelt condolences on your Mom’s passing. May the memories you have, and shared help you through the bad days ahead, she was a lovely lady, may she RIP.
From: Anne Sullivan
Dear Family, Please except my sincere condolences at this very difficult time. Darlene and I were old school friends and although I moved to Halifax years ago, saw her for get together s with the old chick a dee gals from time to time. There were always a lot of stories and laughs .
From: Shirley Williams
Colleen – my deepest condolences on the loss of your mom. I know she’ll be dearly missed. Thinking of you and your family.
From: Tara MacNeil
I’m very sorry for your loss, Please except my sincere condolences. Sending hugs.
From: Mabel MacEachern
Deeply saddened to hear about Darlene’s passing. She was a light that shone brightly, in the eyes of her family, and all those who knew her. Life will never be the same without her quick wit, and love for life. Her kindness and gentle way will not be forgotten, for she touched many!❤ To her siblings, Faye and Glen, love and hugs to you both, as well as her two children, and grandchildren. I will miss you!❤
From: Susan Pushie
So sorry to learn of Darlene’s passing. We got to know Darlene over the years, hearing many stories about her left and especially about her grandchildren. She was a strong woman who faced her struggles with a positive nature. We will miss Darlene.
From: Donna and Jack Dalrymple
Condolences to all the family .Darlene was a beautiful, kind , lady .She will be missed by all who knew her .
From: Jean Marie White
Deepest sympathies to Darlene’s family
The thing I most remember about Darlene is that she was always laughing…an amazing trait to have!
We used to hang around together at the chick a dee as teenagers. There were many great times had by all who were there.
I have visited with Darlene in recent years and I have found her to be the same positive friendly person that she always was…she will be missed.
Ralph and Diane Frost (Mac Donald)
From: Diane Frost
To the family,
Sorry for your loss. Thinking of all of you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Ann Mac Donald
Our deepest sympathies to all the family on the loss of such a beautiful soul as Darlene. She was truly a wonderful person as you so aptly described in her obituary. Always so friendly and welcoming.
I am sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to all the family. I know how hard this is on each and every one of you. (Hugs)
Maggie Currie(Lisa Pittman)
Kevin and Colleen, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. Darlene was one of the best, I considered her one a MacInnis cousin. Condolences to you all.
Kevin, Riley, Madison and Family: Sending our sincerest condolences during this time of sadness. Today and always may loving memories bring you peace, comfort and strength.
Kevin and Colleen and families, we are so sorry to hear of Darlenes passing. May she rest well now with John Willie by her side. Our prayers go out to you all.
Kevin, Colleen, other family and friends of Darlene my sincere condolences to you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad and difficult time. Take care
Colleen and family,
We are so sorry to here of Darlene’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry to read of Darlenes passing. Our sincere condolences to you Kevin and Colleen and the rest of her siblings and to all the MacInnis families. We shared a lot of laughs and good times when the boys were playing hockey back in the good old days. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
So sorry to hear of Darlene’s passing. She was a fine lady and a pleasure to have known her growing up in Big Pond. Our condolences to the MacInnis and Walsh families.
Donald and Brenda
To Darlene’s family I offer my deepest sympathy for your profound loss….John Edward spoke often of her and her delicious cinnamon rolls which they shared many times over a good cup of tea…she was a kind and giving person…be proud of her…remember her always…may she now Rest In Peace….
Judy Sheppard….and …in memory of John Edward MacNeil
Kevin, Coleen, families and wider family – We are so sorry for your loss and yet, comforted by the bonding band of shared love that sustains you all even as it grieves.
Dennis & Carol
Colleen, Kevin, and family, Darlene was such a warm person. I wish you strength in these sad days. I smiled when I read about Darlene’s generous hospitality. I have heard Jackie say that Darlene made every meal perfectly, always including varied fixings. May she rest in peace.
Dear Colleen, Kevin, Faye, Glen, Aidan, Rory, Riley and Madison, all of the MacInnis and Walsh Family and to Marie, Geraldine, Arlene and Debbie:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Darlene loved you all so much and you all returned that love in so many ways. She is such a loyal, giving, fun, and loving lady. We will all miss her laughs, jokes, stories, delicious food, caring, but most of all, just her being there. We will keep her in our thoughts.
Dear Faye, Glen, Darlene’s Children and Family, please except our condolences for the loss of my beautiful cousin Darlene. I will always remember her beautiful laughter and stories when she and my sister (Mary Lou Landry) got together. May she rest in peace with her husband, brother Tom and sister Barbara and her Mom and Dad (Aunt Rose and Uncle Tom) I hope she and my sister Mary Lou can get together with Tom and Barb in their afterlife. May she rest in peace.
Faye my heart goes out to you and Darleen’s family.Darleen was a very special person I’m so very sorry for your loss God Bless
Colleen and family, so sorry for your loss. You were a lovely daughter to take care of your mom while she was ill. I am sure she is smiling down on you. Deepest sympathy my friend.
Our deepest condolences Kevin, Colleen and family. Hugs to you all, love Valery, Bonnie and family.
Colleen, Craig, Aidan and Rory. Colleen, we were so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, we know you will miss her dearly. Our deepest sympathy to your family.
Leonard and Louise
Darlene was a lovely person. Sending heartfelt condolences to her family. Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
Our sincerest condolences to Kevin , Colleen and all the families. Darlene was a special gal and will certainly be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family today. Darlene was the kindest person to us every time we visited Big Pond. She will be sadly missed by all. So sorry
Darlene was a very kind, warm and loving person. I was fortunate to have known her and have many many fond memories of spending time at Darlene and John’s in Big Pond. May she find peace now that she is with John again. Sincere condolences to the Walsh and MacInnis families
Sincere condolences to all of Darlene’s family… Such a special lady.❤️ You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this very sad time…❤️
Sending heartfelt condolences to all of Darlene’s family. She was such a sweet, warm person who will be missed by many. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Melina & Earl MacLeod
Bernadette and families,
We are very sorry for your loss.
Bert and Maurina Lewis