PATRICIA KAY

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PATRICIA KAY McDONALD (nee HAWALESHKA) 1928 2007 Patricia Kay McDonald passed away on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at the age of 79 years after a decade long courageous battle with cancer. She was a truly wonderful and sweet lady with a heart of gold, always thinking of others first, especially when it came to her late husband and children. Patricia was born on March 17, 1928 in Vegreville, Alberta and grew up on a farm in Ispas near Edmonton. She attended school there and later worked as a cook for Canadian National Railways in Jasper where she met her husband to be. She made many lifelong friends through her work there and at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. On August 27, 1955, she married Alfred Alexander McDonald and they were blessed with four children, Robert, Allan, Karen and Brian from 1960 to 1964. Her family lived in Transcona, moving from the east to the west side of Winnipeg to Charleswood in 1975. A kind and loving hockey mom, she always supported all of her children in their pursuits. In 1986, she moved to Edmonton and Vancouver briefly and then to Calgary in 1987 living in Marlborough for a few years and then in an apartment adjacent to Prince's Island Park. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred on December 6, 1979, by her father, Alexander Hawaleshka in 1980, by her mother, Annie Hawaleshka (nee Luchak) in 1983, by her sister Jean in 1997 and by her brother Metro in 2002. She leaves behind a brother, Merle and sisters Helen and Violet. In addition to her children, she is also survived by eight wonderful grandchildren Alison, Cameron, Derek, Paul, Alexander, Bradley, Patrick and Eric. Patricia had a loving smile, warmth and generosity about her that was extended to everyone that met her. She truly enjoyed cooking and everyone will miss her garlic dill pickles, bread and authentic Ukrainian dishes including perogies and cabbage rolls. Her life is a shining example of great tolerance, acceptance, sacrifice for family and devotion in the name of love. She truly made this world a better place with her presence and her time on earth leaves no doubt that she will enter the kingdom of heaven. Her family will miss her dearly and will always be blessed by her example of unconditional love. Thanks to Dr. Ghatage, her primary oncologist and all of the dedicated doctors, nurses and caregivers over the years who assisted her with her fight with cancer. A special thank you to all of the wonderful people at The Agape Hospice in Calgary who made her as comfortable as possible. She was truly thankful for the caring love and attention that she received in her final days. An informal gathering for family and friends to celebrate her life will take place at Bow Claire Apartment at 717 First Avenue SW in Calgary on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will take place on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at St. Andrews Church on St. Andrews on the Red, 3 St. Andrews Road in the rural Municipality of St. Andrews just north of Winnipeg at 1:00 p.m. where her ashes will be buried with her late husband Alfred. God rest her beautiful soul. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 215 - 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A2 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email debbis@cancer.ab.ca. or to the Salvation Army, 420 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0R9 Telephone: (403) 410-1111, www.salvationarmy.org. To email expressions of sympathy: ABCS@hffs.com, subject heading: Patricia McDonald. ALBERTA BURIAL CREMATION SERVICES Telephone: (403) 299-0123

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 12, 2007