MacKay (Smith), Reta Victoria of West Bay passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 23, 2011 in Strait Richmond Hospital, Evanston surrounded by her loving family. Reta was born May 31, 1923 in Saint John, N.B. daughter of Charles H. and Alma H.L. (Tabor) Smith. She moved to West Bay in 1947 and became a member of West Bay United Church. She is survived by children, John, Hilden; Bill (Clair), Whitby, Ont.; Barbara Anne, at home; Janie (Colin Chamberlain), Cleveland; Kathy MacKay King, West Bay; Shirley (Dougie MacDonald), Evanston; grandchildren, John MacKay, Sherry (Chris) Googoo, Cynthia (Anderson) Christie, Samantha MacKay, Crystal MacKay, Lennon Chamberlain, Adam King, Larry King, Dawson King, Rachael King, Dylan MacDonald and Hayley MacDonald, as well as several great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren, also surviving are sister, Muriel Fordham, Saint John, N.B.; and many nieces and nephews; former son-in- law, Francis King, Cleveland; special family friend Clifford Carter, Sampsonville; brother-in-law, Allan (Christine) MacKay, sisters-in-law, Ruby MacKay, Ruth Lewis and Vivian MacKay. Reta was predeceased by her husband, John A. "Buddy" MacKay, sisters, Myrtle Smith, Jean Atkinson, brothers, Kenneth, Russell, Gordon, Lloyd "Sam" Smith, brothers-in-law, Ken Atkinson, Doug Fordham, Kenny Dan MacLeod, Aubrey Lewis, Al Chapman, Philip MacLeod, A.D. "Mickey", Jimmy and Harry MacKay, sisters-in-law, Margaret Smith, Gladys Smith, Bertha Smith, Kay Smith, Isabel MacLeod, Jean Chapman, Annie Mae MacLeod, and former companion, John Duncan MacLeod. Mom was an avid Scrabble player and was a regular at the Tuesday bowling group, in Port Hawkesbury. She had been involved with the Ceann a Bagh Seniors Group in West Bay and at one time ran a weekly fundraiser bingo for that group, as well as organizing concerts, etc. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Highland Guitar Society in Judique, and was a member of AMAC in Cheticamp, as well as a volunteer musician in many places in the area. She enjoyed music and could be seen with her tape recorder preserving the moment to be savoured at a later time, and often shared these tapes with seniors and shut-ins. She was the proud founder of the seniors’ band which evolved into the West Bay Entertainers, and was a big fan of her fellow musicians; her cassette and CD collection can vouch for that. Her family was a major part of her life, and her grandchildren especially were familiar with "Nanny’s Room" and were eager to hang out with her. Mom believed that Life was to be embraced and she was game for anything with no thought to how old she happened to be at the time. Her positive outlook and cheerful disposition should be an inspiration to us all. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, April 28th at 2:00 p.m. in West Bay United Church with Karen Ross officiating, with burial of ashes at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Service Information Service Date Thursday, April 28, 2011