Obituary of Sharon Catherine Digout

Catherine (Sharon) Digout It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beautiful Mom and Nana, Sharon (MacNeil) Digout, has gone to her final resting place on September 9, 2024. She was born on April 9, 1941, in Big Pond, NS. Mom always made sure our house was a warm and comforting place for all to drop in for a cup of tea or hot chocolate. She was quick to tell her girls that people come to see you, not your house. Mom was a great cook and hostess, and she always made family and friends feel welcomed, heard and respected. Sharon is survived by her loving husband George, three daughters, Sheila, Carol and Wendy, and close friend Dorothy. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren: Andrew, Heather, Zara, Michael, Caitlyn and Alex; Brothers Jack MacNeil, Donald (brother) MacNeil, both of Big Pond; sister Genevieve Gentles, Halifax. She is predeceased by her parents Jessie and John Duncan MacNeil, both of Big Pond; her brother Raymond (in childhood); sister Mary Andrecyk (her Irish twin); infant daughter, Mary, and stillborn son ( twin to Sheila). She is also predeceased by infant grandson, Jason. Mom was a proud Big Ponder who felt a strong connection to her Scottish roots. She remained close to all of her siblings and cousins throughout her life and instilled a strong sense of family in her own children. Although she and George spent their working years in "the big city" and raised their family in Dartmouth, they frequently made trips with their children back to C.B. for holidays. Like true Cape Bretoners Mom and Dad fast-tracked it back to CB after retirement where they restored an old family home on the water in George's home town of River Bourgeois. When talking about Big Pond and being a "Brooker" Sharon was often overheard saying that she was also an "Ashby girl". When Sharon was barely a teen she moved from Big Pond to Sydney for high school and lived with her Aunt Rita's family (the MacLeod’s) on St. Peters Road. Like a second family, she often talked about "Rita's kids" and the fond memories of her time there. At age 16 Mom moved to Halifax and trained to be a lab technician. She had an amazing work ethic and spent most of her career in research in the nephrology lab at the IWK. She was "discovered" in a lab at "the old Grace " by Dr. John Crocker who told that her skills could be better used in a research lab. Mom co-authored many publications in medical journals over the years and worked tirelessly canvassing for the Kidney Foundation, organizing yearly conferences and volunteering at children's camps. It was not uncommon for Mom to bring her work home, seamlessly fitting it in between family obligations. The kitchen table was often used for writing papers and grants when "cut and paste" really was cutting and pasting! The yearly pregnant mouse in a cage was an interesting distraction as she would bring a cage of mice home to be taken to the school for Sex Education Classes. There may or may not have been a few incidents with a lost mouse. Oops!! Mom was a great mentor and had a quick brain ( this was very handy playing cards!). Her work-life was hectic and at times scary. She was poisoned in 1972 as part of a work incident and it had some lasting effects. Some good did come from it, including workplace improvements that benefitted all coming behind her. Mom was known for her great sense of humour and she was easy to be around. Fond memories include the "work parties", yearly Christmas/Grandma Digout’s Birthday party; complete with Mary Lee's " the Cure" and Ralph's piano playing. The highlight of the night always included a rendition of “Oh Holy Night” with Mary Lee, Peggy and Dorothy. Although her sisters Mary and Genevieve lived on the other side of the bridge, there were frequent visits back and forth for bridge games, a family gathering or just a quick tea and a catch up. Lorraine and Mary Lee, two close friends, were never far away. They would often run across the street for quick visits. Mom did not slow down with retirement. She volunteered doing hospital meal deliveries and meals on wheels, diabetic clinics, editing community newsletter, member of CWL, taught catechism, and was active working at the CAP site. Mom and Dad could often be seen on beaches with binoculars and bird books. Whenever they could, they would "take off" to go find the latest rare bird! Visitation will take place on Sunday, September 15th from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the River Bourgeois Community Visitation Parlour, River Bourgeois. A celebration of life will take place on Monday, September 16th at St. John the Baptist Church, River Bourgeois at 11am with Rev. John Yake officiating. Burial to follow in St. John the Baptist Parish Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Tara Lynne Community Center. We would like to extend special thanks to Mom’s homecare nurses, especially Megan, Melinda, Jesse and Taylor. And thanks to Dr Paul Pluta, Palliative Care and VON staff. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society or to River Bourgeois Community Services.