Joan (Elizabeth) MacDonald
November 7th, 2015
Joan (Elizabeth) MacDonald passed away peacefully at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner on Saturday November 7th after enduring a long battle with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Her deep faith in God helped guide her during this and many other difficult times during her life.
She was wife and best friend to her late husband Ted for 54 years; sister to surviving siblings Hayward (Jo), Tom (Marion), Liz (Don) and Lorraine (Doug); mother to Gary (Karen), Heather (Dean), Janice and Mike (Karen); grandmother to Julie (George), Andrew, Mickey, Cory, Wade, Danelle, Callan and like a grandmother to Jon; great grandmother to: Colton and Midori.
Joan was the eldest of eight children whose parents – Hayward and Eileen were among the first settlers (1927) to arrive in Buchans– a mining town in the heart of Newfoundland.
At age 18, Joan left to seek her fortune in the mainland and worked as a medical secretary to a doctor who looked after the Toronto Argonaut Football Team.
She met her love of her life – Ted in 1954 on a blind date and was impressed with his sense of ethics, his regard for his parents and his sense of adventure (and it helped that he was a good dancer). They were married in 1955 and, raised their family together in Burlington Ontario.
Together they danced, played bridge, curled, travelled, raised kids, and coached all manner of their children’s sports teams. Their summers off were spent travelling across Canada and later they spent 35 wonderful summers at Pigeon Lake. Joan supported not only Ted but also her daughter in numerous Municipal elections as she knocked on thousands of doors in both communities as well as volunteered for Canadian Mental Health and Children’s Aid society. Later, Joan went back to school to become an audiologist.
When one of life’s mishaps came her way, Joan would either find the humour in it to share with others or square her shoulders and say ‘onwards and upwards’. It was one of her most endearing qualities. Joan’s joy of life, sense of adventure, laughter, generosity and loving ways will be missed by all.
A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday November 21st at South Delta Baptist Church at 10:30am. Please wear bright colours. In lieu of flowers, Joan has requested simple acts of kindness to others in her memory. Those wishing to make a donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society at www.alzheimer.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
This memory I share with my cousins, Sarah & Rachel and Joan's grandkids, Julie and Andy. We were preteens at the time, my cousins and I. Aunt Joan was driving down the road from Elim Lodge to Pigeon Lake Camper's Resort. She sees one of a couple of the boys that we girls were crushing on walking alongside the road. She pulls up next to and begins to chat with them. One things she said that really stands out to this day was "the girls really think you are cute". Mass hysteria erupts in the car as we all try and hide ourselves. I do recall that the grandkids were used as human shields. Once done with her chat.. Aunt Joan drives away and says to the effect.. "if we had not reacted the way we had the boys would not have thought anything of her chat". I also remember all the family bonfires Aunt Joan hostessed every summer while we were kids. Singing, roasting marshmallows... being told stop playing near the fire. :o)
Dear Heather and family John and I knew Joan through her participation in ElderCollege Delta's opera courses and field trips. She was always an enthusiastic participant with a positive outlook and beautiful smile. As a farewell gift at the end of one course she recited a poem which she had cleverly crafted using the exact words from the opera! We thank you for the vivid eulogy you gave and for the gift of your mother in this community. John and Isabelle Harris
My thoughts are with Joan's family as I fondly remember her.... I did not know Joan well over the past few years but we always enjoyed some smiles and laughter together. I have been to dear Newfoundland many times and we always talked about that incredible province and were touched by some of the wonderful memories we had each experienced. It was indeed a pleasure knowing Joan.
Heather, Dean, and family, So sorry about your Mom's passing Heather. I only met her a few times but when I did, she was always smiling and cheery! I felt positive in her company and could feel good vibes. I am sorry I can't attend the Memorial service and I will be thinking of you all on Saturday. Ray Higgs
We were saddened hearing of Aunty Joan's passing. My memories of her are always filled with joy and laughter and that sense of truly being heard when talking with her. She has been the epitome of acceptance and non-judgement to me and an example of how to give to and support the ones I love. Her spirit and joy will always be with me.
Our hearts are with you at this time. Sending warm thoughts and reliving fond memories. Xxoo Thomasine and James
Aunt Joan will always be a pillar of support and loving guidance. all of her kindness she put out for this world will surely radiate thoughout eternity. I Loves u Auntie xxoo
We were deeply saddened to learn of your mother's death in the Globe and Mail this morning.. Your dad worked with me at Alderwood C I in Etobicoke. We were in a social group of 8 couples from ACI and had a great time with Saturday dinners at each others homes along with games, cards and dancing to our favourite bands. Your mother was always cheerful and the life of the party. We also visited your grandparents in Buchans We have many good memories of your mother and dad and extend our sympathy to all your family.
Gary, Heather and Jan: I have no idea if you have any sense of how special your parents were to Susan and I. Joan and Ted hosted us at Pigeon Lake a number of times while I was a student in Toronto. We had a beat up Mazda car, a small apartment and no money. Pigeon Lake was an affordable escape from the City for us. Ted took us out to fish and told me to go to the fridge anytime I wanted, Joan made the stay fun in every way with card playing, great food, good laughs and a wee drink or two. As a newly wed couple with no resources, Joan made us feel so welcome and gave us a few mini-vacations. Several years later, still not exactly flush with funds, but wanting a vacation with the boys (Alex and Stephen) we headed south to Florida. And there, while visiting Tom and Marion, and dropping into Joan and Ted's, we were introduced to Pelican Pete's. Anytime thereafter, if there was talk of Florida at home, the boys would say "we have to visit Aunt Joan, she will take us to Pelican Pete's mini-putt." Joan was a special woman and beyond being "memorable", she was genuine and true and loving. Kids knew it immediately. So did I when Susan first introduced me to her Aunt Joan. May she rest in peace with Uncle Ted. Josh
Joan was a wonderful person who brought a load of Newfoundland joy,love and laughter when she married Ted.Joan made each MacDonald Reunion at Cypress Hills Saskatchewan A Best Of Times Event that we will never forget. We love her and will miss her so much.
Saddened to hear about Joan's passing. The Park at Pigeon Lake has lost one of its original members and she will be missed by the Coles family. We looked forward to catching up with her every summer and enjoyed seeing her smiling face as she would walk past us on the front row. The Park isn't going to be the same without her.