Obituary of Lois Alice Mahaney

Lois Alice Mahaney, age 77, loving mother of 6 children, and adoring widow to her beloved husband Daniel (Danny) Mahaney, passed away in the early hours of Friday, November 25^th, 2022 at the Rocmaura Nursing Home after fighting a courageous battle with Cancer. The daughter of the late Louis and Alice McLellan, Lois was born on October 23^rd, 1945 in Saint John, NB.

Often described as a warrior with a heart of gold; Lois was the eldest of 8 siblings, and the youngest of 4 deceased. At the age of 12 in 1957, Lois met the love of her life, Danny. They married 7 years later on August 15^th, 1964 and had 6 beautiful children together. Lois spent her years working at New Systems Laundry and caring for her children. Even though they had very little, she made sure they never went without. She made Christmas and holidays magical and was the foundation of her family. In 1984, Lois and her children faced the unexpected tragic death of their husband and father. She never remarried, staying devoted to him and raising her children with resilience and undeniable strength. She was a mama bear to all; as she cared for everyone, including her mother and father until they passed.

Family was everything to her; a legacy that her family will continue to honor. She worried about them more than herself and wanted everyone to be happy and to be together. At Christmas, she brought families together and they would go from house to house to visit. She kept her children close; At least three calls a day from her on the phone were quite regular. Seeing her name on the caller ID sure will be missed by them. She also maintained a close bond with her siblings. Despite not being much of a drinker, she would get a bottle of wine and call her siblings down to her dear sister Marney’s house just to gather. And you could not say no to Mrs. Mahaney.

“Nanny Mahaney’s” was the place to be every weekend. Not only was it the place for her grandchildren to bond, but they admired and learned so much from her, including very important life skills. Anyone that knew Lois knew she loved a clean home. Her grandchildren spent many weekends with cans of pledge spray and windex, cleaning with Nanny. She taught them to bake her amazing tea biscuits and apple pie, and bonded with them through knitting. She was a second mom to them all and will forever be in their hearts.

Aside from the love for her family, Lois maintained many hobbies and activities throughout her life. She loved music, and her family knew to have her favourite playlist of tapes ready to play for her. She didn’t care where she danced, whether it was on her own with her broomstick cleaning, or in the company of her friends and family. She played on bowling leagues, and on a dart team called the “Bad Girls.” Everyone at the race track bingo hall knew when Lois was walking through the door with her sister Marney, daughters, and even her daughters-in-law at times. She was an avid reader, an expert at word searches, and you couldn’t dare call during Judge Judy, Seinfeld or Everybody Loves Raymond.

She conquered every challenge sent her way with a smile. Lois’ journey is one that could never be forgotten. In January 2020, she was given 6 weeks to live and placed in Hospice.  Nothing could keep her down, as 9 months she moved out and into the Rocmaura nursing home in February 2021, living graciously for almost another 2 years. Near the end of her life, she told her granddaughter that the secret to life is to take it day by day and to not sweat the small things – Every day, is a new day. She will live within the hearts of her family forever.

Lois will be lovingly remembered by her children: Daughters Karen Dempster (John), Debbie Hoy (Joe), Christine Cain (John); sons Danny (Lise), Kirk (Barb), Darren (Lisa); sister Marney Foote (Paul); brothers Wesley, Ricky, Gene, Louis (Mary), Kim (Dorothy), and Lance (Sherry). Grandchildren Jeff, Michael, Ashly, Gary, Brad, Samantha, Megan, Daniel, Jamie, Tyler, Melissa, John Jr., Devan and Jordan; great-grandchildren Jennifer, Shay, Quinn, Madelyn, Jackson, Isla, Skylar, Lukas, Parker, Adalyn, Alice, Savanna, Kasey, Emilie, Brooklyn, Ava, and Jax. Also, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is predeceased by her sisters Star, Verna, Buelah and brother Frederick.

The family would like to thank the amazing care team at the Rocmaura Nursing Home for their exceptional care and compassion shown to Lois during these past 2 years. Their kindness will not be forgotten.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), where visiting will be held on Tuesday, November 29^th, 2022 from 11 am to 1 pm. The funeral service will take place following at 1 pm from Brenan’s Chapel, followed by interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed. For those who wish, flowers, or donations in Lois’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Rocmaura Palliative Project.

“In life, we loved you dearly. In death, we love you still. In our hearts, you hold a place, no one else will ever fill.”