Màiri ni'n Iain Iain

Mary Elizabeth MacNeil was born in Irish Cove, Cape Breton County on October 7, 1906. She was the daughter of John MacDonald and Elizabeth “Lizzie” MacNeil, and a descendant of MacNeils from the Isle of Barra.

In 1923, Mary married Moses Esau Aboud, and together they raised a family of eleven children in Sydney. When Moses passed away suddenly, Mary, then only 47 years old, carried on with remarkable strength, raising their children on her own. Family was everything to her, and she nurtured a home filled with love, closeness, and faith. She is remembered by family as “a living saint,” always putting others before herself and caring deeply for everyone around her.

Mary was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sydney.

After Moses’ passing, Mary later married Danny Neil MacNeil, who is also featured in the Cape Breton Folklore Collection.

Gaelic was a quiet but constant presence in Mary’s life. She would speak the language when visitors came by and often sang Gaelic songs around the home. The renowned tradition bearer Joe Neil MacNeil was a close friend of the family and frequently spent weeks at a time at Mary’s house in the winter. During those visits, he would help with small carpentry projects and odd jobs around the house. He was always well fed and warmly cared for in her home, treated like one of the family.

Mary lived a long, full life, passing away on October 12, 1997at the age of 91. She is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, remembered with deep affection by her family and all who knew her.