EUNICE

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EUNICE McDONALD (ESSELMONT) (nee WRIGHT)
Eunice McDonald passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2004, at the Kildonan Personal Care Centre at the age of 83 years.
Born at Oak Lake, MB, on April 21, 1920, and the only daughter of Margaret and Richard Wright, the family farmed in the Dugald area. Eunice attended high school in Transcona, and was predeceased by her five older brothers, Gordon, Preston, Cecil, Norman and Douglas Wright.
She married Hector Esselmont, then a CNR apprentice, in 1940 and lived in Transcona following his term in the RCAF, until his death in 1986.
Eunice is survived by her son Bob Esselmont and wife Jackie of Burlington, ON, with three grandchildren (and six great-grandchildren), Rob (Megan and Sydney), Kim and husband Jim Rideout (Victoria, Jacob, Natasha), Kelly Lardner (Brendan), all in Ontario; as well as her daughter Lorraine and husband Bruce Walker of North Kildonan, with grandsons, Curtis and Kent.
Eunice married longtime family friend Frank McDonald in 1991, enjoying only a few precious months together, before suffering a stroke in 1992. This ultimately resulted in her moving into the Kildonan Personal Care Home in 1995, where Frank visited her daily, ever since. Eunice and Frank came to regard the Kildonan staff as "second family" and were rewarded with tender and loving care and concern every day. Eunice is also survived by Frank, his son Stewart and wife Linda of Edmonton; as well as Stewarts daughter Kori and Sheldon Kofoed and their two children, Aiden and Ruby of Ottawa.
Eunice enjoyed the outdoors, tenting in the Whiteshell, then "graduating" to a cottage on Barren Lake where she enjoyed visits from her grandchildren. She was a long standing member of the Rebecca Lodge and the Dugald Fashion Museum, and attended Transcona Memorial United Church. She loved music, encouraging her children to play piano and always enjoyed sharing several "good old songs" with Frank on his daily visits.
The family will be forever grateful to Frank for his love and devotion to Mom over these years, and also the administration and staff of Kildonan Personal Care Centre for their wonderful caring concern for her well being.
Friends may call to pay their respects tonight, Tuesday evening, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Transcona Funeral Chapel, 1800 Day St. Funeral service to follow on Wednesday, January 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Ave. W., with Rev. Carol Fletcher officiating. Interment at Transcona Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Transcona Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2004