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Biography
Mary Katherine Floyd was born April 17th, 1920, in Springfield, Antigonish County, to David J. and Margaret Ann (Chisholm) Floyd. She attended elementary school in Springfield, but after the family moved to the Landing, she attended school in Antigonish, graduating from Mount St. Bernard in 1939.
Mary studied nursing at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Glace Bay. She graduated in 1942 and began working at St. Rita’s Hospital in Sydney. She continued working there until August 1943, when she attended St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in Toronto, where she completed post-graduate studies in Operating Room Technique and Management.
Afterwards, Mary enlisted in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps as a Second Lieutenant Nursing Sister. She worked at Debert Military Hospital in Nova Scotia from May 29th to December 1944. While working there, she was appointed Lieutenant. She was then assigned to No. 2 Company, RCAMC, in Toronto, beginning in January 1945, before volunteering for the Pacific Theatre. For her service, she was awarded the 1939-1945 War Medal.
After the war, she continued working as a nurse for several years in Ontario and New Brunswick before returning to Antigonish.
Mary married Alex J. “Sandel” MacDonald of Lower South River on October 11th, 1952, and the couple settled in Greenwold.
Mary continued her nursing career. She worked in various positions at St. Martha’s and later as a private duty nurse.
Mary passed away May 8th, 1996, and is buried in St. Ninian’s Cemetery.
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