Obituary of M.A. McDonald

M. A. (Anne) McDonald, Ph.D. (née McGavin) March 3, 1932 – December 23, 2016 At Sherbrooke Community Centre, from complications arising from Alzheimer’s disease. Predeceased by husband Ian McDonald, parents Jack and Agnes McGavin, and sister Sheila McGavin. Survived by children David (Lois), Bruce (Bernadette), Cathy, Susan, and Shelagh (Sandy Ribeiro); grandsons Michael McDonald, Stephen McDonald, and Harry Ribeiro; cousins, nieces, and a nephew. Anne was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Jack and Nessie McGavin, recent immigrants from Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up in Glasgow and Winnipeg. She attended school at Isaac Brock and Daniel McIntyre in Winnipeg. Despite winning a scholarship to university, she abided by the wishes of her father, who believed university education was “a waste on a girl,” and instead entered nurses training at Winnipeg General Hospital. For the rest of her life, she remained proud of her RN designation. While a student nurse, she met a medical student from Regina, Saskatchewan, and, after a brief courtship, she married Ian McDonald on November 21, 1953 – a marriage that lasted for 60 years. For the next seven years, she moved with Ian as he pursued his training in Psychiatry, from Vancouver to Regina; Saskatoon; Denver, Colorado; and finally back to Saskatoon. After the birth of her fifth child, Anne resumed her education, taking classes at the University of Saskatchewan. Balancing school work and family life with the demands of Ian’s career, she progressed through an Honours degree (1978), a Master’s degree (1983), and a Ph. D. (1991), majoring in modern English literature. She taught in the Department of English and through U of S Extension until the age of 75. Outside of her work, Anne was known as an elegant, sharply funny, kind, and accomplished woman. Her interests were as broad as her circle of friends. Requirements for entry were strict, however: she demanded an acknowledgment of the profound contributions of Julia Child, Vidal Sassoon, Stephen Sondheim, and Pauline Kael. And if they couldn't share her passionate devotion, she requested, at the very least, a respectful tolerance of Bobby Short. In the absence of these qualifications, a working knowledge of 1940s and 50s Winnipeg and/or shared sense of humour would suffice. Sadly, Anne developed Alzheimer’s disease while in her mid-seventies; at the same time, Ian’s health declined. Thanks to the efforts of many people, including Julie Cortens, CPAS, and the DCF program, Ian and Anne were able to remain in their home until Ian’s death in 2013. In 2015, Anne moved to the Sherbrooke Community Centre (House 2, Kinsmen Village), where she received gentle care until her death. The family would like to thank Lorna Crausus and especially Fe Enriquez for their tireless and loving support of Ian and Anne, as well as Andrew MacDonald, who tended to Anne through these difficult years. Drs. Gene Marcoux and Susan Hayton provided sensitive care for both Anne and Ian through their illnesses.