TWILLA SUZANNE MACDONALD

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TWILLA SUZANNE MACDONALD January 6, 1954 - April 2, 2010 It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Twilla MacDonald after a brief battle with cancer. Twilla is predeceased by her mother Peggy and father Willie. Twilla is survived by her husband Darryl Draeger; sisters Sheila, Innis, Sara and Natalie; half-sister Catherine LeBlanc; brothers Laddie (Audrey), Sandy (Mary), Bruce (Tib) and David (Ann); parents-in-law Les and Dorothy Draeger; sister-in-law Janice Melnick (Howard); and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. Twilla was born in Glace Bay and moved to Thompson as a teenager; both instilling a small-town camaraderie and working-class community spirit. She came to Winnipeg and completed her sociology degree at the University of Manitoba. Twilla was an adventurer; living and working in many continents, countries and provinces. She got to see the best of many cultures. This allowed her to become one of the most dedicated social justice activists. She was an integral part of CHO!CES, the Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women, and the New Democratic Party to name just a few. Her organizing and campaign efforts covered community, municipal, provincial and federal levels. If there was an opportunity to better the world, Twilla was involved with her utmost tenacity. Where most saw barriers she saw hurdles. Twilla's quick wit and the timing of her one-liners made her family and friends howl with laughter. Whenever possible, she shared in helping children grow with undivided love and loyalty. She knew no greater joy than assisting in the raising of her numerous nephew and nieces and then their children. This was followed by nannying Donne and De's first child, Callum, for his first two years and being a special friend and mentor thereafter. Finally, she got to know young innocence again as part of 'Aunt Tweeya and Uncle Dawu' to her newest nephew Alex. She provided unbridled love to all and always had more to spare so that none felt left out. She truly followed Allistair MacLeod's quote All of us are better when we're loved as her mantra. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 9 at Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oxfam Canada or Right To Play. NEIL BARDAL INC. (204) 949 - 2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 07, 2010