Obituary of Marguerite Theresa MacDonald

Marguerite Theresa "Dolly" MacDonald (Née: Campbell) Dominion Surrounded by a deep and abiding love, as all of her children kept vigil at her bedside, Mom slipped away from us on Friday, September 23, 2016 to meet up again with Dad. Her loving husband, Angus A. MacDonald predeceased her in November, 2009. Mom lost a brief but painful battle with Multiple Myeloma and spent her last days at the An Cala Palliative Care Unit. Mom was the youngest daughter of Euphrasia (Grace) Burke and Edmond Campbell. She was born in Glace Bay on July 31, 1929. Being the youngest girl in a family of eleven children, her dad would often sit her on his lap and hold her as he whittled wooden flowers. He would call her his, "Little Dolly" and the name stayed with her for the rest of her life. Mom had a very rewarding and full life having attended St. John‘s and St Anne’s Schools and then the Empire Business College. After graduation, she worked as a secretary at the Children’s Aid Society. In 1951, Dolly was engaged to the man of her dreams at St. FX University and married Dad in 1952. She gave up her career to guide their eight children through happy childhoods and on to successful careers. Dolly’s eight children and her sixteen grandchildren survive her to cherish many happy memories. Jamie (Michelle) and their daughter Gina; Mary (Tony O’Brien) and their sons Michael (Rebecah), Joshua (Lea) and Andrew; Angus (Karen) and their children Jonathan (Jenn), Kathleen (Brechen Debison) and Rachel (Brent); Marguerite (Ken LeBlanc) and their children Courtney (Rob Burrows), Jacenta (Cyril Roach), Tyrel (Nadine) and Kirsten (Adam); Colette (Glen Stockmal) and their children David (Caren) and Elizabeth (Riley), Campbell and his children Gillies (Kylah) and Nicole (Micke); Phraz (Gerry Doucet), Allan (Cheryl) and their daughter Katie (Brian). Mom is also survived by the eight lights of her life, her great grandchildren: Alexandria MacDonald; Norah and Madelyn Burrows; Quinn, Kiley and Scarlett MacDonald; Lincoln and Cullen Debison. Dolly is also survived by her only living sibling, Ray Campbell (Alice) as well as her sisters in law, Florence MacDonald, Rita Campbell and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Jack, Bill, Ted and Gregory as well as sisters Ethel, Grace, Mayme, Nell and Kay. Throughout her life, Dolly was very involved in her children’s lives and took great pride in our achievements. As we grew older and more independent, Mom became involved with the St Vincent DePaul Society and the Immaculate Conception Nursery School. She treasured her many visits to Alberta and New Brunswick to visit with those of us who live there. The family would like to say a very special thank you to all of the staff at the An Cala Palliative Care Unit. The staff there truly are angels in human form and we are blessed that Mom was able to spend her last days there as they made her and all of us as comfortable as possible. We would also like to especially thank the staff at Glace Bay Hospital 3E and ER for their prompt and thorough attention to Mom’s needs. Special thanks to Dr. D’Intino and Dr. Aboud as well as to Dr. Kevin MacNeil, Dr. Milburn, Dr. Spencer and Dr. Carol Boutilier for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, we request that you make a donation to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit in Mom’s name or to the Glace Bay Food Bank. As per Dolly’s wishes, there will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay. We will say our final good bye to Mom on Thursday, September 29 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church in Bridgeport with her nephew Fr. Tim MacDonald and Fr. Dan Boudreau officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery where she will be laid to rest with Dad. Everyone is invited to join us for a reception in the church hall after the funeral. On line expressions of sympathy to the family can be made at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca