Obituary of Mary Audrey McDonald

We rejoice in a long, healthy, well-lived life; we are saddened by a difficult final pathway to death.

Mom loved to knit and, over the years she knitted hundreds of hats, scarves and mitts for St. John the Evangelist’s Saturday night supper program and she was still knitting before she entered the hospital.  She also hooked countless mats for all the family over the years.  Mom had the amazing ability to peel and chop onions without ever shedding a tear so for 10 years, on the first of each month, she helped cook the meal for the Saturday night supper by chopping 10 lbs. of onions.

She loved to travel and was very proud that she had been from Vancouver Island to the Cabot Trail.  Alaska and Spain were the most exciting places she had been.  She visited the Maritimes twice a year and bragged about spending almost every Christmas in Halifax until she was 93.  Her last visit to NB was in 2011, when she attended the Roberts’ reunion at the old homestead.

Mom was born in Long Point, NB to Fred and Bessie Roberts.  When she was 18, she married Harold Willar, a widower, and helped him raise his 5 children.  They had 9 more children.  Mom married Harry McDonald and moved to London, ON in 1970.

Mom is survived by her children: Katherine (Harold Keeling), London, ON; Fred (Eunice), Hampton, NB; Donald (Marg), Saint John, NB; Dorothy, Saint John; Constance (Henry Schritt), Selkirk, MB; Lawanda, Gloucester, ON; Gordon, Ottawa; Grace (Jim Brady), London.

She leaves 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great grandchildren; her brother, Eldon Bournemouth, UK and sister, Mildred Rigby, Comox, BC and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mom was predeceased by her parents and both husbands; daughter, Jean Humphrey; grandson, Malcolm; siblings:  Charles, Frank, Fred, Edmund, Bessie, May, Hilda, Edith Ernie, Florence, and Harold.

Mom ended her personal memoirs this way: “To each of my own children I wish the greatest health, wealth and happiness, and that they live their life without a single regret, just as I have done.  I was able to find some good in every person that I have chosen to spend any part of my life with…no regrets!”

A memorial service will be held in Saint John, NB at a later date.  Mom’s life was all about giving so, if you wish to make a donation to your favourite charity, in Mom’s memory, it would be appreciated.

‘A life is like a flower….it blooms, then fades away; but it leaves a lasting beauty in our hearts from day to day.” E. Weston.