Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Chisholm of Antigonish passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, in the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home, Antigonish..

Liz was born in Antigonish and spent most of her childhood on a dairy farm on the Old South River Road. Her parents, Archie and Josie (DeCoff) Chisholm, were people of deep faith whose influence we are still feeling in our family. Liz’s siblings Bernice (Bill), Archie (Alice), and Bernie (Brenda) will miss her dearly. Strong family values were the foundation on which Liz built her life of leadership, service, faith, and family.

Faith is a word that comes to mind often when thinking of Liz. Faith in God, of course, but faith in people, too. And faith in education. She believed in education. She earned four university degrees in four different decades. But despite her rabid support for StFX sports teams, it was not her university education that she spoke of as formative. It was Saint Andrew Rural High School that she credited with lighting her spark. She became a high school teacher herself and many of her former students say she, in turn, lit sparks in them.

Liz lived a life of service to her community. She was a political animal from a young age. The passion that started with Model Parliament in high school carried her through a lifetime of political involvement. She worked countless election campaigns, many as campaign manager, two as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. She served four terms on Antigonish Town Council working tirelessly for her community, notably on the Town Beautification Committee and the Sustainability Committee. She was an early and enthusiastic advocate for composting and recycling, and God help you if you put something in the wrong bag! She served in roles big and small, from the Board of Directors for the RK MacDonald Nursing Home to the Chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Board on the Status of Women.

Her Scottish heritage was central to Liz’s identity, and she imparted this pride to her children and grandchildren. We are a family of many kilts, not to mention Chisholm tartan dining room chairs. She served with the Clan Chisholm Society and the Antigonish Highland Society for decades, serving as President of the Highland Society and Chief of the Clans, ultimately being honoured with a Lifetime Membership.

Liz’s Catholic faith was another driving force in her life of service. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League for half a century, serving on the provincial executive and as provincial president. She and Bo were so involved in the St. Ninian’s community, the bishop called them Mr. and Mrs. Church.

We all delight in early pictures of our parents - Dad swarthily gorgeous next to Mom’s Celtic beauty. They married in 1964 and brought up their five girls in a little house on Xavier Drive. We grew up believing that we could do anything, because our mom could. She leaves behind a family who will miss her dearly: Daughters, Kathy Chisholm (Ted McDonald), Karen (Marty) Corsten, Mary Beth (Kevin) McCarron, Allison Chisholm, (John McKee) and Dale Chisholm (James Schiesz); grandchildren, Imogen (Sam) and Tess (Pete) McDonald; Annecy Spencer (Liam); Abby (Nathan), Maggie (Jordan), and Rory McCarron; Scout and Lily McKee; and Bo and Jonah Schiesz; great grandchildren, Duffy, Johnny, Eleanor, and James McDonald.

Dad is waiting to welcome her to heaven, where she will get to see many friends and family, her parents, and her beloved Auntie again.

We wish to thank the staff of Martha’s Place at the RK MacDonald Nursing Home and Dr. Emma Chiasson for their kindness and care.

Visitation will be held Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish.  Funeral Mass will be held Saturday in St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish, at 2:00pm with Reverend Daniel MacLennan presiding. 

Burial in the parish cemetery in the spring.

In Memoriam, donations to Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia appreciated.  Online condolences: www.clcurry.com