Obituary of Grace MacDonald

CORA (GRACE) MACDONALD ‘BETTER KNOWN AS GRANNIE’ Jan. 26, 1916 – Nov. 15, 2017 101 ¾ years of age ‘Grannie Grace’ was born in Craigmyle, AB on Jan. 26, 1916 to Murdock & Savilla MacGregor, and passed away peacefully on Nov. 15, 2017 after a very short stay in the hospital. She had her full faculties – including a very sharp mind – right up until just a few hours before the end. Grannie had 3 brothers, and she was extremely close to all of them. In 1923, the family moved to Ontario for several years. Her first job after finishing school paid $5/month, and she got 1 Sunday a month off. Most of her jobs until she turned 21 involved working with small children, which explains her great love and joy for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-greats as she called them. In 1937, she came west by herself to visit family in Alix and Halkirk. She met the love of her life, Dave, shortly after coming out when she went to visit some cousins. They met in May, 1937 and married that September! Sam was born in July of 1938, and Arlene followed in March of 1940. Dave worked in the mines, so they moved a lot in the early years. They finally settled south-east of Delburne, where their happiest years were spent with great neighbours – as well as a house full of kids as Sam and Arlene were always bringing friends around. They farmed for many years, then Grace took her hairdressing course and opened a shop in Delburne. They moved to Red Deer in 1965, and loved having young people around still – they were the ‘houseparents’ for several family members and friends going to Red Deer College or starting out their careers. Grannie worked at the Michener Centre for 14 years (until 1979). By this time Grandad was starting to show the effects of Alzheimers, and she spent the next several years caring for him, both at home and going daily to help when he was moved into a nursing home. When Arlene got progressively ill with MS, she spent several years caring for her as well – driving regularly to Calgary until she moved up to Red Deer, then taking up daily care for her. When Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort opened, she spent the majority of her summers there. She would pick up groceries and candy 2 or 3 times a week, and drive over from Red Deer with her van FULL. Most staff would run when they saw the van pulling in. Or when she wanted to go pick berries – she was famous for picking saskatoons for hours, and convincing staff and/or family members to go with her. Grannie drove up until she was into her 90’s, and even went on a Mexican holiday for her 95th birthday. Grace is the last surviving member of her generation, being pre-deceased just last year by her sister-in-law. She was predeceased by husband Dave in 1983, great-granddaughter Belle Haldane in 1990, grandson Murray in 1997 and daughter Arlene in 2005. She leaves to mourn her loss her son Sam; daughter-in-law Jean; grandchildren Joanne (Ron), Roxanne, Kevin (Traci), Bonnie and Tim; ‘adopted grandchildren’ Doug (Debbie) and Gary; great-grandchildren Janelle (Kent), Marci (Cole), Brett (Jenny), Alex (Keltie), Dallas (Keely), Kail, Raya, Amanda (Daniel), Jeff (Marija), Will, Myrissa (Ryan), Lonnie (Kristin), Shawn (Nikki), Kent, Colleen (Reid); and great-great grandchildren Tova, Dax, Brooklyn, Emma, Luke, Macy, Oliver, Brittany, Connor, Leah, Torrin and Trigg. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins from Alberta, Ontario, Cape Breton and Texas. Funeral services for the late Grace MacDonald will be held at the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Jan Richardson officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at the Delburne Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with her husband, daughter and great daughter. Memorial donations may be made to MS Society, Alzheimers Society, War Amps or to a charity of your own choice. Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, 403-742-3422, entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.