Obituary of Julia Margaret MacQuarrie

Julia Margaret MacQuarrie

Port Hawkesbury, NS

We regret to announce the passing of Julia Margaret MacQuarrie (90) at the Richmond Villa, St. Peter’s on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Born on August 8, 1933 in West Bay Road, Julia was the oldest of ten children born to Duncan and Florence (MacQuarrie) MacAskill.

Julia is survived by her two sons, Blaine, Darryl (Marsha), Port Hawkesbury, her grandchildren, Drew (Cat), Taylor (Sheumais), and their mother, Laurie, her grandchildren, Cailin (Brandon) and Colton, and her great-grandchildren, Daxson and Skylin. She is also survived by her brothers, Murdock (Elizabeth) MacAskill, Uxbridge, ON, Angus (Pauline), Heatherton, her sister Annie MacInnis, Port Hawkesbury, her sisters-in-law, Dorothy MacAskill and Ann MacAskill, and her and brother-in-law, Alex Hatcher, as well as many nieces and nephews. Julia was predeceased by her husband Donald MacQuarrie, daughter,  Karen Lynn in infancy. Brothers, Duncan John, Hughie, Dan; sisters,  Jane Rogers, Florence Hatcher, Catherine Gray and brother’s-in-law Eddie MacInnis, Edward and Milton MacQuarrie, Wes Gray, and Jimmy Rogers

Julia attended school in West Bay Road, Inverness County. She completed Grades 11 and 12 at Sydney Academy, where she graduated in 1952. The following year, at the age of 19, she taught 32 students from Grades Primary to 10 at the Sugar Camp School. In 1953 she moved to Hamilton, Ontario, completing a business course and then worked as a bookkeeper and personnel manager.

Julia and Donald were married in Hamilton on February 20, 1954. In 1961 they returned to Nova Scotia to live in Port Hawkesbury. She spent the next number of years looking after her young family as well as becoming active in her community and church.

In 1971 she enrolled in the B.A. program at St. F. X., graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education. She began teaching with the Antigonish District School Board in 1975. She taught the majority of her time at Havre Boucher Consolidated.

Julia was very active in her community. She served on Port Hawkesbury Town Council from 1985 to1989, being one of the first women to do so. She was a member of numerous town committees, and was very proud of her efforts to establish a Beautification Committee. She was a Board Member on the Inverness District School Board and was known as a strong advocate for students. She was also very involved with St. Mark’s United Church. 

Mom was a reader, and a natural connection from that was her service as Board Member and Chair of the Eastern Counties Regional Library. She also served on the local community health board, and the Port Hastings Historical Society. As a proponent of lifelong learning, she took a computer literacy course in her late 80s.

She was proud of her strong Scottish roots. She and Donald got to travel to their beloved Scotland in 1994 for their 40th wedding anniversary.

Julia never missed an important date and was everyone's biggest supporter. Always proud of her family and their accomplishments, she always kept in touch with her siblings, nieces and nephews. She enjoyed a wide network of very dear friends with whom she kept in regular phone contact.

The family is very grateful for the care and assistance provided to Mom over the years from the staff of the Inverness County Home Support Agency and many private caregivers who assisted her. We also want to acknowledge the terrific medical care provided by Dr. Collins over many years. Mom was admitted to the Richmond Villa in December 2022. To say that Mom enjoyed her time at the Villa would be an understatement. She appreciated the kindness and care provided by all of the staff.

Visitation will take place in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury, Saturday, June 29 from 2-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held in St. Mark’s Church, Port Hawkesbury at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Burial in the Southbrook Cemetery. 

Donations can be made to the Strait Area Museum, St. Mark’s United Church, Richmond Villa Recreation Department or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home. Words of comfort mat be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com