W J Dooley Funeral Home

04/24/2026

Celebration of Life for Betty Ann Devoe

04/24/2026

Hearses are among the most identifiable symbols of death. Join us for the ride as we take you down the winding roads of the history of the hearse!

04/23/2026

A visitation for Jeanette will be held from 1-3 pm, Friday, May 15, 2026, at the W.J. Dooley Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A Funeral Service will follow at 3:00 pm in the Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Doug MacDonald. Online condolences can be left for the family by writing on the tribute wall of the obituary page.

View Jeanette Marie Boutilier's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 2 tribute posts from the community.

04/21/2026

View Betty Ann Devoe's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 5 tribute posts from the community.

04/20/2026

04/19/2026

Celebrating National Volunteer Week

Did you know April 19 - 25 is National Volunteer Week? A chance to say thank you for the volunteer efforts that make our communities better places to live.

Volunteers play a key role in Canadian society. It is estimated that approximately 24 million people (79 per cent of Canadians over the age of 15) serve in some type of volunteer role. Volunteers dedicate approximately five billion hours. Mature volunteers contribute the most hours and can often be found in a variety of roles at palliative care centres, hospitals, grief support groups or fundraising for causes such as cancer research and heart and stroke initiatives.

National Volunteer Week serves as an opportunity to shine the light on the impact volunteers make every day. So, whether you are a volunteer yourself, or know of dedicated volunteers who selflessly share their time, skills, empathy and creativity, take a moment to stop and appreciate how their individual and collective work is impacting Canada for the better.

© W J Dooley Funeral Home/CFHC Online

04/17/2026

Love and Loss

Loss molds our lives in many ways,
And fills our souls with guesses;
Upon our hearts sad hands it lays
Like some grave priest that blesses.

Far better than the love we win,
That earthly passions leaven,
Is love we lose, that knows no sin,
That points the path to Heaven.

Love, whose soft shadow brightens Earth,
Through whom our dreams are nearest;
And loss, through whom we see the worth
Of all that we held dearest.

Not joy it is, but misery
That chastens us, and sorrow;
Perhaps to make us all that we
Expect beyond To-morrow.

Within that life where time and fate
Are not; that knows no seeming:
That world to which death keeps the gate
Where love and loss sit dreaming.

-Madison Julius Cawein
1865 - 1914

04/17/2026

View Jason John Hodder's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 2 tribute posts from the community.

04/14/2026

View Connor Ross MacDonald's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 2 tribute posts from the community.

04/13/2026

Always Arrive 15 Minutes Early for a Funeral Service

Funeral services are a place to gather, pay respects and support the family. As well-wishers, we communicate our condolences and share in their loss. For many reasons, it is important to make sure we do not in any way place any extra burden on the family at this time.

The family’s feelings of grief and mourning are intense immediately following the death of a loved one. Many describe a feeling of numbness as they come to terms with a new reality. On the day of the service, they are emotionally distraught, exhausted from a lack of sleep and juggling what feels like a million tasks.

Even with the support of the funeral home, the family may feel overwhelmed and for those who have never planned a funeral service, this unknown world may hold a lot of anxiety.

While funeral directors will assist every step of the way, the family still likes to play an active role to ensure everything runs smoothly. There is only one chance to make the funeral as meaningful as possible, to aid in the journey of grief.

Anyone who may have been given a specific role, such as speaker, pallbearer or usher, should arrive extra early, as directed by the family or funeral director. For all other attendees, please be courteous and arrive at least 15 minutes before the service is scheduled to begin. Allow extra time for road conditions and even finding parking at the funeral home. The last five minutes before the service should be reserved for the family to compose themselves before bidding farewell to their beloved. The last thing anyone wants to deal with is latecomers.

© W J Dooley Funeral Home/CFHC Online

04/08/2026

View Joan Marie MacLeod's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 1 tribute posts from the community.