Joan Elizabeth Dota

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my mom, Joan Elizabeth Dota (MacDougall) at the MacGillivray Guest Home on November 11, 2022.   It was always Mom and I against the world. She was my mother, my father, and my very best friend.  I will always love you to the moon and back and all the spaces in between.

Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of the late Wilfred Ross and Mabel Frances (MacDonald) MacDougall. She was predeceased by her first husband Wesley Justin Garrett, and her 2nd husband Michael Anthony Dota, by her much beloved brother Gerald MacDougall, sister Shirley Taylor, sister Lois Barrington, brother-in-law Joseph Burke and nephew Greg Burke.

Joan is survived by her daughter Wendy and her beloved son-in-law Jan Hanes. Her sisters Frances Momberquette, Carolyn MacQueen, and Kate Burke, as well as several nieces and nephews and their children whom she loved dearly.

Joan will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by family and friends, and her dearest friend Lena Cameron, who was such a blessing that words can never express our heartfelt gratitude for her friendship and love, not just to my mom but to our whole family. We would like to sincerely thank Lena Cameron ~ we could never have done it without you.

Mom was strong and independent but also very kind and soft-hearted. She enjoyed the company of good friends with whom she loved to share a laugh, a hug, a smile, great food and great music.  And the many, many children and their families for which she had the honor of being a part of over the years.  She loved you all.

She loved to bake and gift it to people she loved. She also love Christmas and making children happy.  Joan would spend countless hours setting up her famous Christmas display for the joy and delight of the tiny faces that would lay and watch all the moving parts of her village in awe. The beautiful houses, the stores, churches, parks, gazebos, horse and carriage, the moving trains, the ice rink and skaters, cars, Santa's, singing birds, the ski hill, the many moving ornaments and figurines and of course all the snow and the lights.  There could never be too many lights! It truly was a magical experience done with so much patience and love.

You will be missed, and in our hearts, forever. We love you.

We would also like to thank everyone who cared for my mom Joan in the Glace Bay Hospital, Seaview Manor, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, MacGillivray Guest Home, Palliative Care and EHS services.

Cremation has taken place under the guidance of Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. As per her wishes, there will be no visitation or service.  

Memorial Donations in Joan's memory may be made to the MacGillivray Guest Home at http://www.mggh.org/donations.html

Expressions of sympathy to the family can be made by visiting www.foresthaven.ca