I wrote a poem years ago about the McVicar Christmas experience and, until seeing this page, had completely forgotten about it. After hours of searching it has been located and I would like to leave it here. It's sentiment being the basis of my own family's Christmas experience. Iris Marie McVicar was a wonderful lady who worked hard to make Christmas an experience never to be forgotten. Christmas was not a day, it was a season, and that is the name of this poem.
A SEASON ----------------- Christmas At Our House Was Filled With So Much More Than A Christmas Tree Or Presents Or A Wreath Set On The Door
September Began The Season There Was Baking to Be Done Fruitcakes Lined The Cupboards But The Work had Just Begun
Caught By Surprise, October Was The Month To Prepare The Pies Christmas Was Getting Closer With So Much More To Realize
Christmas Songs began To Echo Through The Halls In Mid-November Mom Would Rush To Bake The Cookies Not Much Time Before December
December Was Simply Magical The House Took On A Life Of It's Own Lights Were Hung Inside & Out Sweet Memories Carved In Stone
Cabbage Rolls & Sausage Rolls Were The Next Thing Mom Would Do The House Was Warm & Cozy It Seemed To Call To You
With Christmas Only Weeks Away The Girls Would Put Their Aprons On The Cookies Needed Decorating This Task Could Take So Long
With Only Days Left To Go We'd Set Out To Find A Tree With Careful Consideration How Perfect It Would Be
What Joy There Was In Decorating Our Trees Throughout The Years That Final Touch Of Christmas Could Fill Your Eyes With Tears
Our Parents Made A Season A Time To Work Together Preparing For The Birthday Of Christ Creating Memories To Last Forever
Christmas At Our House Was So Much More Than Just A Day Christmas Was A Season You Would Wish Somehow Could Stay
In Memory Of Iris Marie McVicar November 8, 1934-October 6, 1976
~Beautiful poem, and so describes our home at Christmas. Thank you, whoever you are, for posting it. (I think I know who you are, but not my place to say, but you are family if this describes your Christmas experience as a child)
Melodie 16-May-03 6:35 AM
~~Unbelievable! I can't tell you how much that poem has affected me. I read it 4 times...so far. Thank you!
Brianm 16-May-03 8:03 AM
~Your Welcome ~
Anonymous 16-May-03 8:04 AM
~Given the time of year, I would have to say one of my fondest memories of Mom would be the cooking & baking she would do for Christmas. After we got the deep-freeze she would start her baking in late September or early October & freeze it. The amount of things she would bake was incredible. Everyone would have a cake, their favorite, baked, iced the way they liked it & wrapped for Christmas. As they would visit on Christmas eve, or Christmas day, they would receive the cake made for them. There would be cookies in a number of cookie jars, as well as cookies hanging from anything that would hold them: the Christmas tree; spruce bowes around every door-way; lamps. Then there was the food she would have ready for Christmas. Again, she would have everyones favorite ready for them as they arrived for a visit. There would be cabbage rolls, ham, sausage rolls, meat pies, rum pudding, pies, date rolls, gingerbread..everything...and on and on. It didn't matter what your favorite was, when you came over for a visit, it was just about ready to come off the stove or out of the oven. She not only knew what you wanted, but when you would arrive for your visit. She was an amazing woman who took a lot of pride in those things...and was loved for it.
Brianm 23-Nov-02 8:47 PM
~~Your Mother sounds to me to have been a very nice lady Brian. It honors a loved one passed on, so much to bring up your memories of them. Treasure them all & keep on sharing them, it keeps her spirit alive *hugs*
Doreen 19-Dec-02 6:08 PM
McVICAR, JOSEPH C. - The death of Joseph Carl McVicar of Rothesay, NB, husband of Lorna (MacLennan) McVicar of 54 years, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2005 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Glace Bay, NS, he was a son of the late Gilford & Winnifred (Russell) McVicar. Joseph was employed with CJCB in Sydney, NS, CHSJ in Saint John, NB & was an executive director of the United Way in Saint John. He was also the Commissioner of the Red Cross Division of New Brunswick & was the Transportation Supervisor for District 6 School Board for many years before his retirement in 1990. Joseph was an avid golfer, a member of Lingan Country Club in Sydney & the Riverside Country Club in Rothesay. He was also an honorary life member of the Maritime Senior Golf Association; he also represented New Brunswick for the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Senior Curling Bonspiel. Joseph was also a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League, a member of the Bing Boys and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #58. He served as Sergeant in the Canadian Wireless Group in Australia in World War II. Joseph enjoyed golf, bridge & curling.
Besides his wife, Joe is survived by his daughters: Leslye McVicar (Michael Bishop) of Rothesay, & Audrey Kennedy (Scott) of Ontario; his brothers: Gilford & Donald McVicar, both of Cape Breton, NS; his sister: Sylvia Murrin (Gerald) of Cape Breton & grandchildren: Gregory & Christina Bishop as well as Emily & Stephen Kennedy.
Joe rested at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, Saint John. A Royal Canadian Legion Service was held on Monday, March 14. Funeral Service was held at St. David's United Church, Rothesay on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 11:00am. Interment took place in Forest Haven Cemetery, Sydney, NS at a later date. Remembrances were made to the Kennebecasis Public Library, St David's United Church & to charities of the donor's choice.
Hugh E. McKinnon 80, New Waterford
It was with great sorrow that the family of the late Hugh E. McKinnon announce his sudden passing Nov.30, 2006, at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital. Born in New Waterford, he was the son of the late Neil A. & Florence (MacIsaac) McKinnon.
A retired coal miner, Hugh worked in #12 & Lingan collieries. A devoted member of Mt. Carmel Church, Hugh was the first ever lay person to read at Mt. Carmel Church & it is said he never missed a Sunday mass in 51 years. Hugh was also an honorary 3rd degree member of the KOC & a member of the New Waterford Pensioners Club.
Hugh was a gentle soul who loved to smile & enjoyed the sound of laughter. Those whose lives he touched will never forget him, but will forever miss him.
Hugh leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife & best friend of 51 years Hilda (McVicar) & his nine wonderful children. They are: Daughters Mary 'Dudy' (Frances) Noble, Scarborough; Tina (Bruce) White, Lingan; Millie (George) Lever, Dominion; Lylie (Steve) MacLellan; Donna (Ryan) Walker & Hilda all of New Waterford....As well as Sons: Neil A. (Ernestine), New Waterford; Hugh E. (Lisa) & Doug (Lisa), both of Scarborough, Ont. He is also survived by his sisters Tina Boudreau & Annabell (Joe) MacKinnon, both of New Waterford. Hugh is also survived by 18 grand children & 7 great-grandchildren. There are also numerous nieces, nephews & friends who mourn Hugh's passing.
Beside his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Donnie & in-laws Gordon & Mary McVicar.
Friends & family visited Hugh at McLellan Brothers Funeral Home in New Waterford. The Knights of Columbus also held an assembly in Hugh's honor at the parlor.
The Funeral mass celebrating Hugh's life was held at 11:00am Tuesday, December 5 at Mt. Carmel Church. Hugh was laid to rest in the parish cemetery. A luncheon was held after the ceremony at the Carmel Center & was attended by family & friends.
Edith Charmaine Coady May 29, 1960 - October 29, 2006
Edith Charmaine Coady died at the age of 46 on October 29, 2006 after a battle with Cancer. Born May 29, 1960 in New Waterford, Charmaine grew up in New Victoria. She graduated from nursing in New Waterford in 1980 & went on to live in Ontario for 15 years until her return home in 1995. She worked the last seven years for C.B.R.S. Charmaine was a devoted wife & mother. She was a hard worker & was known for ability to make good bread, pies & for puting a smile on people's faces.
Charmaine is survived by her husband of 24 years Joe Coady, her son Christopher & her two daughters Tracy & Meagan; Parents Edward 'Chubby' & Lylie Burchell; One sister Ardell (Travis) Caudle; Four brothers Eddie (Rose) Burchell, Ont., Keith (Wanda) Burchell, Sydney, Grant & Robert at home. Charmaine is also survived by many nieces & nephews & a wonderful extended family of sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law. Charmaine was predeceased by her grandparents Bob & Della Burchell & Gordon & Mary McVicar.
Charmaine will be sadly missed by all. Always remember...she was our rock on earth & now she is our Angel in heaven.
Charmaine rested at McLellan Brothers Funeral Home in New Waterford.
A funeral mass celebrating Charmaine's life was held at Mount Carmel Church on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006. Charmaine was laid to rest in the parish cemetary.
Rita ‘Camilla’ MacNeil 60, Glace Bay
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend Camilla MacNeil on Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Glace Bay Health Care Complex, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of Lena (Forbes) Browner and the late Alexander Browner. Camilla is survived by her mother, Lena Browner; husband, Myers; two sons, Evan (Karen O’Connell), Eastern Passage, Chad, Glace Bay; her grandchildren, her pride and joy, Andrew and Ceilidh MacNeil; sister, Margaret (Henry) Hiscock; brother, Joseph (Buddy) Browner and two special nieces, Karen Bach and Cathy Parker. Camilla worked for many years as a greeter for Wal-Mart and was the founder of ‘Women Alike 2’, a breast cancer support group. The family received relatives and friends on Monday, March 10 at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay. A funeral service was held in the funeral home chapel with Fr. Conrad Edwards officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations were made to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
July 14, 2008 Camilla’s Room a special place print this article SHARON MONTGOMERY The Cape Breton Post
GLACE BAY — A special place in Glace Bay not many people know about - Camilla’s Room - will live on. Camilla MacNeil, who died of cancer on March 7, spent about 13 years quietly organizing a room in her home and collecting donations of products so women battling breast cancer could get things they needed for free like wigs and prosthesis. She also spearheaded a support group. “She was an amazing woman who only wanted to help other people,” said Linda Hanrahan, of Glace Bay. Hanrahan, an avid fund raiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, met MacNeil about a year and one-half ago. Katherine Fraser and Diane Oakridge, who own a jewelry store in Hamilton, Ontario, were in Cape Breton visiting a family member who was ill. They tracked Hanrahan down and donated a watch for her to present to a dedicated volunteer assisting others battling cancer. “They asked me to find not just anyone, but someone who did things behind the scenes without expecting anything but the feeling you get helping someone.” After searching for a couple of months, Hanrahan heard about MacNeil. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago, MacNeil’s life revolved around helping others affected by cancer. MacNeil had set up a comfortable room in her house where a woman could privately look through products that were donated, while even enjoying a cup of tea. “She wanted to help people who couldn’t afford certain things they needed, as medical insurance doesn’t cover everything you need.” Camilla also organized a support group called Women Alike 11. “It was an amazing group that would cry together, laugh together, a lot of support for each other.” Hanrahan said MacNeil told her she set up the room so women wouldn’t have to go through what she did. “She talked of being taken to a room full of cardboard boxes to be fitted for prosthesis - having to take her shirt off with no privacy - how embarrassing it all was.” Hanrahan presented the watch to MacNeil. “She cried and cried but said they were not sad tears but happy tears to think someone thought that much of her to do that.” MacNeil was involved in many other aspects of the cancer society, including Run for the Cure and the Dragon Boat Festival. Anne Ellsworth, a member of the support group, confirmed she will be setting up “Camilla’s Room” in the fall. “The room is too important not to continue in her memory.” Ellsworth is a breast cancer survivor, who was diagnosed in 1984. She is hoping to have Camilla’s Room open in the fall. In the meantime if anyone would like to donate any products to it, they can contact her at 849-2717 or Linda Hanrahan at 849-0388.
