Pictou United Church News

PICTOU – Surrounded by her family, Marion Carol Fagan, 68, passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Born in Pictou on December 23rd, 1941, Carol was the daughter of the late Hector and Dorothy (Belyea) MacDonald. Graduating from Pictou Academy in the class of 1959, she went on to train at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, graduating as a registered nurse in the 1962B class.

She began her career in Portland, Oregon before returning home to nurse at the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital in Pictou, where she married Floyd and raised her family. Recovering from back surgery, she resumed her career in private duty nursing in Pictou County and subsequently worked for a number of years as a RN at the Shiretown Nursing Home up until her retirement.

Fiercely independent and always busy, Carol was involved in a number of groups. Guild of Nova Scotia. She was always eager to learn a new craft skill, and, although she would be too modest to say so, was successful in those she attempted. A member of Pictou United Church, she took part in the UCW. She will certainly be greatly missed by her fellow Stitch & Bitch members. She was an active member of the local executive of the Nova Scotia Nurses Union and the Pictou Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Hagen, Cole Harbour; her son, Pat Fagan; her daughter, Jennifer Fagan Dunbrack, Pictou; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Fagan, Heathbell; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Patsy and Robert Hansford, Central Caribou; and her grandson, Ryan Patrick Fagan Dunbrack. She is also survived by her nephews: Stephen Hagen, Paul Hagen, Brian Hagen, Shaun Hansford (Szilvia), Steve Hansford; and her niece, Lynne Downing (Stewart), as well as many cousins from Pictou Island and across the continent.

She will be missed by her nursing colleagues, her many friends, classmates, neighbours, including her frequent visitor, Mia, and all of whom have known her in years of taking care of the needs of others with compassion and a healthy sense of humor.

She was predeceased by her husband and soul mate of over 44 years, Floyd Joseph Fagan; her brother, Jamie MacDonald; and brother-in-law, Frank Hagen.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. A private family graveside service will be held later, with internment in Seaview Cemetery.

Donations in Carol’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of the McLaren Funeral Service, Pictou.