DAVIS
Mary Polly Davis, July 27th, 1930 – January 18th, 2026: Polly Davis, age 95½, passed peacefully onto the next life on January 18th, 2026, at the Equinox Terrace Assisted Living Community in Manchester Center, Vermont. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her. Polly grew up in Framingham Center, Massachusetts, the daughter of James C. Davis, Sr. and Mary Ludlum Davis and sister of James C. Davis, Jr. Her cousins, aunts and uncles also lived in Framingham Center, and they shared a family life rich with history and culture. Polly attended Framingham Public Schools, the Emma Willard School in Troy, New York, and graduated from Smith College in 1952, which included a junior year abroad in Paris. She attended graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley, studying clinical psychology. However, in 1959 she moved to New York City to teach English as a Second Language at Columbia University, also teaching in Tokyo for 1½ years. In 1979, she began to study Tibetan Buddhism with Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, which took her to Boulder, Colorado; the Bronx; Manhattan; Northampton, Massachusetts; and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Polly emigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada, in the early 1990s, first living in Halifax and then settling on Cape Breton, following her chosen Buddhist community. Polly was a pioneer in the curriculum development of English as a Second Language and published three volumes of grammar text, English Structure in Focus. She dedicated herself to a lifelong mission of instructing students and adults with linguistics. Her vast knowledge of world languages and music allowed her to communicate with almost anyone. In the mid-1990s, Polly built a house on Scotch Hill in Margaree. There she gardened and kept house, practiced in the Shambhala Buddhist community, hosted friends and family, sang in the local chorus Le Choeur du Havre, and was a talented weaver at the Scotsville School of Crafts. The Gaelic and Acadian residents and culture of Cape Breton gave her endless pleasure. She was generous with her time and donations to the causes she cherished, tutoring and mentoring those who asked. She sponsored adventurous trips and learning experiences for her great-nieces and -nephews. Polly enjoyed a challenging game of Scrabble, cookies and bread from local bakers, barbecues on the Cape Breton beaches, watching the sunset, and observing the dark star-filled skies. In 2023, she moved back to the United States to be closer to her family. The Equinox Terrace provided Polly with joyful and tender end-of-life care. Polly is survived by her much-loved family. Her sister-in-law, Mary-Wynne (Wendy) B. Davis, also resides at the Equinox Terrace and they spent many happy hours visiting together there in the last few years. Especially dear to Polly were her nieces Martha B. Davis of Henniker, NH; Jane B. D. Williams of Poultney, VT; her nephew James (Jic) C. Davis III, and her great-nieces and -nephews Page, Gaelyn, and Bryn Williams and their children; Simone Hibbard; and James C. Davis IV. Special recognition goes to niece Jane B. D. Williams, who made sure that Polly was cared for and comfortable in Vermont. A celebration of life is planned for summer 2026 on Cape Breton. In keeping with Polly’s wishes, her remains will be scattered in the places she loved there.
LeBLANC
Elaine Julie LeBlanc, age 87, of Foyer Père Fiset, Cheticamp passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on Saturday, January 10th, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Charles and the late Sarah (Poirier) Richard. Elaine was born in Milltown, N.B., but when she was two years old, her family moved to Shediac River. When she was age 12, they moved to Montréal, but Elaine moved back and forth between Montréal and New Brunswick in her teen years as she worked in a lobster factory in New Brunswick. At the age of 20, she moved to Waltham, Mass. Elaine also left school after obtaining grade eight to care for her mother, who was ill, and helped in caring for her two younger sisters. They lost their mother at an early age. In 1961, she married Arthur LeBlanc, and they had three girls. In 1977, they moved their family to St. Joseph du Moine. Mom was very smart, despite not going to grade 12, but it always seemed to be on her mind, so at the age of 56, she proudly completed her GED in Port Hawkesbury. Mom worked at Paul Pic’s Café in Margaree Harbour, Out to Lunch in Belle Cote, and lastly Le Gabriel as a baker. She was known for her coconut cream pies and her delicious date squares. Despite being one of the most sickly asthma patients in the Lahey Clinic in Boston and having multiple serious allergies, her main focus was her health, avoiding things that triggered asthma attacks, and she lived well beyond expectation. We were so proud of our mother in everything she did…cooking, knitting, hooking, and mostly for being the beautiful, friendly, loving, and caring person that she was. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was always ready to set another spot at the table for whoever would stop in. We certainly hope that she is playing cards and dice with those she loved in heaven. She will be dearly missed. Elaine is survived by her daughters, Lisa LeBlanc, Ontario, Eileen LeBlanc, Ontario, and Annette LeBlanc, St. Joseph du Moine; sisters, Jeanne LeBlanc, and Cécile Leger; grandchildren, Zachary Timmons, Jennifer Lynn Hagen, Alaura Timmons, and Angel Becker; and great-grandchildren, D.J. Gaugh, Chase Hagen, and Hazel Hagen. Besides her parents, Elaine was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Arthur LeBlanc; brothers, Francis Richard, Henri Richard, and Gerard Richard. A funeral mass will be celebrated on July 7th, 2026, in St. Joseph’s Church, St. Joseph du Moine, with time announced at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cheticamp Funeral Services Ltd. Condolences may be sent to: www.cheticampfuneralservices.ca.
MacDONALD
It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Annie MacDonald who passed away on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, at the age of 88. Annie was a cherished mother, grandmother, friend, and pillar of her community. She was known for her warm heart, infectious laughter, and unwavering positivity. No matter the situation, she carried herself with kindness and a cheerful spirit that brought comfort and joy to everyone around her. Family was at the center of Annie’s life. She shared a particularly special bond with her grandson, who was her greatest pride and joy. Their connection was filled with love, laughter, and countless treasured moments that will be remembered forever. Annie was deeply loved within her community, where she will be remembered for her generosity, her welcoming nature, and her ability to make people feel seen and valued. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the love she gave so freely. She is survived by her children, Margret and Jack MacDonald; grandchildren; Brandon and Tabatha; brother, Dan Joe; nieces and nephews, Janice and Ken, (Sydney), Rose, (Antigonish), Blaise and Paula, (Antigonish), Crystal and Scott, Pamela, Al and Ron, as well as many more nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Bernie and Lila; brothers, John, and Louis; and sisters, Tena and Mary. Visitation was held on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Inverness Funeral Home. Funeral mass was held on Thursday, January 29th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Broad Cove. Burial will be at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com. Though she will be deeply missed, her laughter, love, and light will remain forever in our hearts.