Katherine Jean Macaulay

Katherine Jean MacAulay On 2 Jan ’17 at home in Sackville, NB where she had been enjoying life to the fullest, K. Jean MacAulay celebrated her 100th birthday. She died 4th March while sleeping peacefully in the spool bed her grandfather, James MacBain, made for her when she started school. Daughter of James Wm and Minnie (MacGregor) MacBain of Meadowville, NS, Jean grew up on a farm with her brother Allister MacBain (Jackie), Vancouver, who predeceased her. She did her early education in a one-room school, stayed with McGregor cousins in New Glasgow to complete high school, then graduated as a registered nurse (’41) from the VG Hospital, Halifax, after which she worked for the VON. She enlisted (Oct’42) with the Royal Cdn Army Medical Corps and received training in Sydney, NS then Brockville, ON. On 13 Sept’43 she sailed on the QEII from Halifax to serve in Britain (Bramshott Military Hospital, Hazelemere) and Europe (Bayeaux, Normandy, Ghent, Sande); first with CGH #2, then CGH #7 – often under canvas. In a temporary post-armistice Cdn Hospital in Germany Lt. Nursing Sister MacBain met Capt. David M. MacAulay, a Canadian Intelligence Officer from Port Morien, Cape Breton. On weekend leave they travelled to Winschoten, NL and were married by the Burgemeester, 8 Jan ’46, after Jean was made a Dutch citizen “on the spot” so that they could legally wed in Holland; they remarried, 10 Jan, by Cdn Padre Maj. J.R Miller in Sande, DE. She returned via hospital ship Lady Rodney to dock at Halifax in July ’46. Jean generously shared WWII recollections for the Canadian War Museum so some of her war experiences would be recorded for Canadian history. She noted: “We always had to be optimistic and cheerful for our patients.” That became Jean’s lifelong modus operandi. After WWII the MacAulay’s located to Halifax, then Ottawa – where, from ’51-53, Jean managed as a single mom for two young MacAulay sons when her husband was stationed back to Germany. After a further CAF posting in Vancouver they returned (’61) to the Maritimes when David was appointed Dean of Men at Mount Allison University. They moved into a don’s apartment and Jean was “Housemother” to “Truman House boys” for years; she is well remembered by students and others for kindness, patience, positivity, her unending capacity to encourage - and for tea and freshly baked goodies. In Sackville Jean nursed for a spell with the VON and at the Drew Nursing Home. Loved for her sense of humor and her generosity, Jean was especially noted for volunteer work. Her first official executive position (’30) as Secretary, Meadowville Jr Red Cross League, taught her skills for the many leadership positions she held in later life with the IODE, the Sackville Hospital Auxiliary, the Mt A University Women’s Club, the Sackville Community Christmas Cheer and the UCW of the Sackville United Church where she continued active membership until her death. She read books galore until she lost her sight; then, for the past decade, was grateful for countless CNIB talking-books sent for her enjoyment; in recent years she most loved having someone - by phone or by fireside - read to her. She enjoyed music (especially Celtic tunes), gardening and baking - and was always ready with culinary contributions for church functions, for fundraisers or just for folk in the community who needed a visit and cheer. Her favorite travel destination was Vancouver where she enjoyed the activities and accomplishments of her grandsons. The family appreciates the quality homecare Jean received from “A Team”: BrendA, LindA, SandrA and StellA – whose time with her brought laughter and joy; their loving assistance helped her to stay reasonably independent, mobile and engaged. She remained actively connected to Mt A until her death. “Mt A girls” (Ashley, Beth, Christina, Clara, Gillian, Jean, Katie, Kelsey, Kira, Kirstin, Margaret, Victoria) spent fireside evenings with her in recent years; the nightly company of bright vivacious students enriched her life and enabled her to be at home. The family is sincerely grateful to them all and to others who visited to share “a cuppa”. Sons Dan MacAulay (Sackville) and Jim MacAulay (Deborah Armour / Vancouver) with grandsons, Wade and Callum, and niece, C. Jean Cameron (Sackville), invite family and friends to join in celebrating Jean’s life at the Mt Allison University Chapel (Chaplin, Rev. John Perkin) at 2 pm 27 Aug ’17, followed by tea in Tweedie Hall; interment later in Black Brook Cemetery, Cape Breton. Memorial donations may be made to the Mt A Music in Care Student Outreach Project, to the Mt A MacAulay Bursary, to the Sackville Hospital Foundation for community care projects, or to a charity of one’s choice.