PLEASE NOTE: MEMORIAL MASS IS NOW SCHEDULED, SEE INFORMATION BELOW
Jean (Burgess) Mackay, 88, of No. Truro, formerly of Waterford, CT, died peacefully Friday August 10, 2012 at Eagle Pond in South Dennis. She was the loving wife of 66 years of Richard C. “Dick” Mackay. Born Mary Jean Burgess on March 4, 1924, in New London, Ct, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Anne (Brennan) Burgess. After graduating high school, Jean originally worked for the US Navy supervisor of ship building in Groton, CT and later worked at the Naval Underwater Systems Center in Groton, CT. She eventually left to raise her sons and worked as a volunteer at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Waterford and then returned to the Sound Lab. She retired in 1987 after twenty years of civil service and enjoyed many happy years of retirement with Dick in Cape Cod and Florida.
In her earlier years, Jean was an avid square dancer, camper, and gardener, where she was known for her good nature and her infectious Burgess Laugh. The Mackays were avid golfers and were members of the Highland Light Golf Association. She was a member of the Truro Neighborhood Association and a member of the Highland Lighthouse committee that oversaw the moving of the lighthouse in 1996.
Although Jean was active in her church and community, most of her joy came from time spent entertaining family. While living in Connecticut all of her sisters lived in close proximity. This allowed for frequent family gatherings of aunts, uncles and cousins on many different occasions. Although gatherings were often spontaneous, she most enjoyed the times when she could plan each event. She reveled in the preparation, from scheduling, to cooking, to setting the scene with her favorite silver and china.
For the last 17 years she has gallantly faced the challenge of living with Alzheimer’s disease but prior to that time her social graces and attention to detail were evident whenever she hosted an event. Her warmth, enthusiasm and charm were among her greatest qualities.
Besides her husband Dick, she is survived by her two sons, Craig C. Mackay and his wife Carla M. of Chantilly, VA and Myles H. Mackay of No. Truro. She has her two beloved grandsons, William C. and Richard C. Mackay of Fairfax County, VA. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. She was the last living member of the Burgess clan and is predeceased by her 3 brothers Carlye, Robert and Keith Burgess and her sisters Doris Huard, Priscilla Almeida and Joyce Wilkinson.
A graveside service will take place in the near future at Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London, CT.
A MEMORIAL MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED IN ST. PETER THE APOSTLE CHURCH 11 PRINCE STREET PROVINCETOWN ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 20, 2012 AT 10:00AM. ALL ARE INVITED.
If desired memorial contributions to honor Jean may be made to Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & the Islands 765 Attucks Lane Hyannis, MA 02601or on line at http://www.alzcapecod.org/ or to Beacon Hospice 529 Main Street, Suite 101
Charlestown, MA 02129.