Christena "Lynn" MacNeil (nee Mattatall) 69, of Middleton, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025 in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born in Tatamagouche to the late Lester and Catherine (Purdy) Mattatall, Lynn was the youngest of their ten children.

Lynn was the quiet, unassuming strength of her family; the fundamental core without whom we could not have stood. With her big heart and innate sense of humour, not a soul on earth could fail to be encompassed in the glow of her light. Lynn loved and was loved unconditionally, especially when it came to her family; her husband of 46 years, Tom, their four children, and seven grandchildren.

While she was trained and employed as an Administrative Assistant, and later used her admin skills to support Tom's private practice, Lynn chose to transition into the role of a homemaker, a role she took pride in. She cared deeply for her children and her grandchildren, as well as other children within the community. Not only was she family-oriented, she was people-oriented.

Lynn believed in the importance of connecting with family and friends. She loved times like the family get-togethers, and annual Christmas go-arounds with her friends. She looked forward to being in Tatamagouche to connect with her friends and family there and was very proud to be a Mattatall from Sand Point Road.

Lynn made the most delicious baked goods and could find a way to incorporate chocolate into almost any recipe. At Tom's work she was known as the cheesecake queen, as she connected with his colleagues by making them personalized birthday cheesecakes. She also made many special neighbours and friends bags of baked goods every year for Christmas Eve, to be hand delivered by her children.

Though she preferred being behind the scenes, she put her heart and soul into each person and each opportunity. Over the years she gave back to the community in many ways. She was a Spark and Brownie leader, helped out with the Hospital Auxiliary doing shifts in the Gift Shop, and volunteered at the schools. She had been an avid volunteer at Annapolis East Elementary School in their library, cafeteria, and on the parent committee, as well as one on one with the students; above all, she enjoyed connecting with the children through helping them read and running incentive programs for them. For her efforts with the children, she was awarded an AEES Volunteer of the Year Award. She was also previously involved with Fundy Squares Square Dancing and was a past President.

For herself, Lynn used her time to read voraciously, making regular trips to the local library, and consuming literature at lightning speed. She always worked on the newspaper lexicon with her morning cup of tea, collected her Precious Moments, and she was the world's biggest fan of the big three E's: Elvis, Elmo, and Elephants (but only the cute ones).

Lynn will be deeply missed by her husband Tom; children Ryan (Amanda), Jonathan, Beth (Stephen) MacLean, and Megan (Ashley) Thompson; grandchildren, Emma, Aiden, Cameron, Brennan, Harper, Emily, and Finleigh; brothers Mason, Gerald (Patsy), Carl (Janet), and Malcolm (Chris); sisters-in-law, Cathy (Bunny), and Sharon; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Besides her parents, Lynn was predeceased by her sisters, Kathleen, Elizabeth, and Hazel Ponte; brothers John, and Brian; sister-in-law Carol; brothers-in-law Maynard, and Robert; nephew Joey, and great-nephew Jeremy.

In keeping with Lynn's wishes, cremation has already taken place. Visitation will be held 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025 in Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, toll free 1-855-825-3448. Family graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Reception to follow at Barrachois Community Hall, 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive visitors.

Donations in Lynn's memory may be made to Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or a charity of your choice in tribute to her kind heart.

Special thank you to Dr. David Mulhall, Debbie Hannam, Dr. Amy Silver, and Valley Earth Angels for their care and support.

The online guestbook may be signed by visiting www.middletonfuneralhome.com