Ardith Lynn MacInnis

Ardith MacInnis (MacCuspic), beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on October 3rd, 2025 at the age of 61. She is predeceased by her father, Charlie MacCuspic, and leaves behind her mother Florence MacCuspic, brothers Keith MacCuspic (Audrey; Sister to John), and Scott MacCuspic (Janet), sister-in-law Marguerite Nicholson (Myron), and many loving nieces and nephews, as well as her mother-in-law Georgina MacLeod (Fraser MacLeod). She will be missed fiercely by her doting husband John G MacInnis, her three children Stacey O'Sullivan (Karl), Ryan MacInnis (Richelle Maloney), and Eric MacInnis. She also had the joy of witnessing the birth of her grandchildren: Lucas, Liam, Shay, Emmeline, and Gus - they were her pride and joy.

She grew up on Hunters Mountain and enjoyed the kind of free-range childhood that the '60s and '70s had to offer on a rural farm. With her older brothers Keith and Scott, she played on and around trucks, tractors, and horses. From an early age, she was known for her willingness to get right back on said horse, despite being thrown. Her determined optimism would prove to be contagious in her later years.

Throughout her life, she attended Middle River Elementary, Baddeck Rural High School (where she met her sweetheart) and then onto secretarial school in Port Hawkesbury. Ardith and John G married in a quaint ceremony in 1983, had their 3 kids by the age of 25, and she devoted herself to making their house in Estmere a home. Somehow while working for the Department of Transportation in Baddeck, she managed to find the time to design the new home she and John would build (in Baddeck Inlet) at the age of 27, alongside making clothing and quilts for the kids, baking cowboy cookies and tending a garden. Stacey, Ryan and Eric will remember her as the maker of memories and magic - whether that be homemade Halloween costumes, nourishing meals for after practice, or unforgettable Christmas surprises. More than anything, she cherished her family.

She will be remembered for her love of gardening, frogs (because they never, ever give up), hummingbirds (because they're mother nature's marvel), her love of chocolate, and her ability to see the world from an ever optimistic, positive perspective. She had an unfathomably deep well of resilience - and if she set her mind to do something, she was going to do it.

Unfortunately, in her late 20s she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. For a time, it seemed manageable as Ardith and John tried the various treatments available in the 90s and 2000s. But in the end this cruel disease slowly but surely ate away at Ardith's mobility and quality of life. Ardith and John would like to thank the community, from the bottom of their hearts, for the support over the years. When the village came together and fundraised for Ardith to go to Mexico for an experimental treatment, it was truly touching, and the love and care was warmly felt by all of the family.

The family would like to thank all of the home care Ardith had over the years - the late Emmeline Campbell especially left an indelible mark on Ardith with her joie de vivre. Janet, Norma, Ellen, Cathy, Maureen - you're all darling angels who brightened Ardith's darkest days and your strength was a bolster to the rest of her loved ones. You're capable of more than you know.

We wish to express sincere thanks to Dr. Ritter, all members of the Palliative Care team and Continuing Care supports, who enabled her to stay at home in comfort; as well as her many friends and extended family who stayed in touch over the years.

Her life was a testament to the strength of resilience and unwavering faith. Everyone who knew her will remember her kindness.

A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, October 7th in the Middle River Presbyterian Church at 2pm, with a reception in Middle River Hall afterwards. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Hospice Society of Victoria County ( https://hospicesocietyofvictoriacounty.ca ) who were a massive support to Ardith and her loved ones over the last 8 years.

Her family and friends should forever honour her by living to the fullest. Take the trip, eat the cake, be kind, and soak in all the small bits of beauty and joy around you.