Sark, Mary Ann, 82, of Paqtnkek passed away peacefully on July 5 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Antigonish.  

Born in Antigonish she was a daughter of the late Benedict and Margaret (Stevens) Lafford. 

Mary Ann was the kindest, gentlest soul whose loving generosity touched the lives of many people.   The oldest of 12 children, family and community were of top importance to Mary Ann (aka Mother Hen)  and she showed this by how she lovingly raised her siblings, how she welcomed people into her home, and how she contributed over the years volunteering and cooking for salite and community events.   She lived and worked in Maine and Boston where she began and raised her family for many years before returning and settling with them in Paqtnkek.   She was a person of deep faith and spoke often of her transformative trip to Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

She is survived by her loving partner Harold Ehler, Paqtnkek; children: James (Tracey), Rocky Point, PEI; Danny(Paula), Rocky Point, PEI; Roger (Deanna), Rocky Point, PEI; Benny (Kendra) Rocky Point, PEI; and Merina , Paqtnkek;  16 grandchildren: Kara Pictou, Nikki Pictou, Cheyenne Keddy, Daniel (Hailey) Sark, Courtney Sark, Janine Bernard, Jake Sark, Kamryn Sark, Michael Sark, Tyler Sark, Jillian (Seb Barns) Sark, Christopher Sark, Dameon Johnson, and Cydney Johnson;  13 great grandchildren:  Amerah, Kingston, Layla, Daniel, Poppy, Tyla, Raya, Meadow, Lennon, Rez, River, Rollins, and Maverick; siblings: sisters, Judy (Kenneth) Jones, Havre Boucher; Joan, Waterboro, Maine; and Sandra Landry, Biddeford, Maine; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by: daughter Mary Catherine Sark; grand children: Derek Sark and Greg Bernard; siblings: Levi Lafford, Patrick Lafford, Earl (Hubba) Lafford,  Joseph (Mary) Lafford, John Lafford, Linda Lafford, Helen Lafford, and Annie Lafford.

Visitation will begin on Thursday at 5pm at 173 Saqamaw Rd, Paqtnkek First Nation until time of funeral at 11:00am on Saturday in Immaculate Conception Church, Heatherton.  Reverend Dennis Lamey presiding.  Cremation to follow with burial at a later date.  

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish (Nalikitquniejk).  Online condolences:  www.clcurry.com