Pugsley (MacDonell), Elaine - Age 94, of Halifax, passed away peacefully with family by her side, on January 10, 2024, after complications from emergency surgery. Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Port Hood, N.S., she was a daughter of Donald Smyth MacDonell of Judique Intervale and Florence (MacDonald) MacDonell of West Bay Road.
Elaine attended both the Port Hood Convent and Academy and in 1951 she graduated from St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish as a Registered Nurse. She taught at the Children’s Hospital in Halifax for a year after graduation, and in 1953, she received a Diploma of Teaching and Administration from Dalhousie University. Her nursing career was spent at the Halifax Infirmary.
A woman of strong faith, she was actively involved for many years with the Canadian Martyrs Parish/St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Halifax.
Elaine lived a life of service both professionally and personally. She was the epitome of Cape Breton hospitality. All visitors were offered home cooked meals and sweets, and she never took no for an answer! This gift was cultivated during her formative years, as her family operated the Oceanside Hotel and Cabins in Port Hood. There they catered to the comfort of both local people and tourists. Elaine cherished her lifelong attachment to Port Hood, where the Pugsley family still maintains a summer home.
Elaine felt great pride in her Scottish heritage all throughout her life. She was never so proud as when she travelled to Scotland in retirement and was mistaken for a native Scotswoman everywhere she went (until her Canadian accent gave her away).
Her passion was her family near and far, and she inspired all with her unconditional expression of love, generosity, and kindness. She was the best Grandma ever.
She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Donald Carlyle Pugsley in 2018; and her brothers, Eldred MacDonell, Ronald MacDonell and Stanley MacDonell.
Elaine is survived by her children, Dr. Donald Pugsley (Dr. Kathleen MacPherson), Halifax; Sheila Pugsley (Mark O’Connor), Dartmouth; Moira Pugsley (Richard deBruyn), Dartmouth; grandchildren, Erin (Logan MacLean), Arianne, Lauren, and Jaiden; sister-in-law, Muriel MacDonell and sister-in-law by marriage, Beth (Wolfe) Pugsley.
Special thanks to her caregivers and friends at Jamieson Hall, Parkland at the Lakes.
A Mass of Christian Burial, interment and reception will be held summer 2024 (date to be determined) at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Port Hood, N.S
Memorial donations may be made to Sisters of Charity Halifax (schalifax.ca) or Chestico Museum & Historical Society (chesticoplace.com)
Condolences and inquiries regarding the date of the future Christian burial may be forwarded to pugsleysympathy@gmail.com
“From the lone sheiling of the misty island, Mountains divide us, and the waste of seas; Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, And we, in dreams, behold the Hebrides.” Author Anonymous- Song of exile. Excerpt from the Canadian Boat-Song.
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