Olive MacDonald

Olive MacDonald (nee Amichand) April,1943 - June 25, 2023

Our beloved Olive slipped silently and peacefully into the love and light of God on June 25, after a month of illness. She was born in Barrackpore, Trinidad and Tobago, and was raised in her thriving East Indian community.  The church was very important to Olive and her family and continued to be, throughout her life.  Olive came to Regina in 1964 to attend university, and had many adventures as a new immigrant. Soon, Olive fell in love with and got married to Bruce.  She finished her BA and started working in libraries in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Olive went to England with Bruce and they were blessed with their two lovely children.  Coming back to Regina, Olive stayed home with her kids for a few years, before continuing her career at the Provincial Library and then the Saskatchewan Agriculture Library where she held very responsible positions for many decades.  Olive was active in the United Church of Canada, volunteering in many positions including Sunday School teacher, coordinator of the Social Justice Committee, and visitor of new members.  She also volunteered in read to inner city children and to tutor adult immigrants in English, count frogs, etc.  She was an artist at cooking Trinidadian and other foods!  She always loved her garden, including their community garden in Regina, and found joy in the simple beauty of nature.  She liked to read and take university classes, and enjoyed making needlepoint, knitting and crocheting while listening to novels and inspirational books, as well as other hobbies. Although she loved her quiet times, Olive loved connecting with her family and community, and was friendly to everyone she met.   With Bruce and their children, Olive camped across Canada and travelled the world, visiting loved ones and exploring many countries!  Her favourite visits were to New Zealand and Guelph to spend time with her cherished grandson Gulliver and family. She treasured the special visit they had together in February this year, passing on their shared Trinidadian culture and family history to Gulliver.

Olive is survived by her husband Bruce, daughter Rachel, son David (and his wife Dana), grandson Gulliver, and sister Sybil. She was predeceased by her parents, John Benjamin and Carmen Amichand, her brothers Lionel, Clarence, Don, and Ivan, her sister Esther and many other loved ones. She is also remembered by many cousins, nieces, nephews, in laws, friends and colleagues, and we all cherish the beautiful, kind and gentle soul of our dear Olive. She touched the world with friendliness, curiosity, love and kindness, and we are so grateful to have had her with us for so long.

We love you, Olive, Mom. See you again one day!