CONSTANCE MAUDE MACDONALD

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CONSTANCE MAUDE MACDONALD Peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2008 Connie MacDonald, aged 86 years, succumbed to cancer. Born on August 3, 1922, daughter of Joseph and Beatrice Ellis. Mom grew up in Fort Garry. After graduating Grade 12 at St. Mary's Academy in 1939, Mom continued her education at the University of Manitoba and achieved a degree in Home Economics by 1945. After a post graduate year working at the Hudson Bay Company as a Commercial Dietician, Mom married Donald MacDonald on September 10, 1947. Mom's great love for music lead her to years of playing the piano and organ at the Fort Garry United Church during the years leading up to her marriage to our Dad in 1947, following the Second World War. Mom also played at Oakview Place every Sunday for 10 years with family friend Rev. Charles Milton. Mom was very active with the Chown Guild of the Children's Hospital of Winnipeg and achieved her 50 years of Service pin in 2002. Our Mom was a woman ahead of her time. Mom was an extraordinary culinary expert and held family and friend gatherings with her spectacular show of food and love that can not be surpassed. This brought our families and friends together over and over again - whether at home in Winnipeg or at the second best place in the world, the family cottage in Minaki, Ontario. Our Mom was an inventive mother and grandmother, telling classic stories to her children, grandchildren and great-grand-children and always encouraged them all to read and expand their minds. Mom was predeceased recently by son - Hugh MacDonald. Mom will be celebrated by her children, Bruce and wife Karen, Judy and husband Gilles Hirmann, Glenda Knoll, wife of Hugh MacDonald; grandchildren, Lisa Ryckman, (Mike), Ryanne Chartrand, (Cam) Jacquelyn MacDonald, (Jeremy), Heather MacDonald (Mike), MacKenzie Knoll, Taylor Jane Hirmann, five great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. What is a Mom: Love, Tolerance, Encouragement, Patience, Humour - Connie MacDonald encompassed all those qualities and more. Our Mom leaves a legacy behind that will not be forgotten and will be carried on in our lives. When we think of our Mom, it may be with longing but it will be with love and remembrance of a woman who touched our lives and guided us and showed us right from wrong. Warm thanks are extended to all family and friends who visited and offered endless support, to Charles and Vivian Milton - Mom's Guardians , to her friends at Kiltarton Towers and to the incredible nursing staff on the 8th floor of the St. Boniface Hospital. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made in Mom's memory to the Children's Hospital or to any charity of your choice. A celebration of Connie MacDonald's life will be held on Monday, December 29, 2008 at the Silver Heights United Church, 199 Garrioch Ave. at 1:00 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 27, 2008