Obituary of Eleanor Irene McDonald

McDONALD: Eleanor Irene McDonald (née Haithwaite) of Brandon, our wife and mother, passed away peacefully with family by her side at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at the age of 75 years. Eleanor was born in Wawanesa, Manitoba on April 23, 1935. She was the youngest of a family of five, growing up on her parent's farm in the Methven district where she attended the one-room Sourisburg School, and later at the Wawanesa Consolidated School. Early in 1953, Eleanor started working in Brandon at different locations such as Agnew-Surpass Shoe Store, Metropolitan Department Store, Hemming Jewellers, and then to the new Kresge's Department Store, prior to its opening, where she helped stock, set it up, and continued to work there for five years. In January, 1961, she went to Vancouver, where two of her brothers lived, to find work, but didn't like the rainy winter, so returned to Brandon in the spring, and started working as a cashier at Eaton's groceteria. The groceteria closed in 1964, at which time she started at Canada Safeway, where she spent the next 27 years, retiring in 1991. On September 29, 1962, Eleanor and Lloyd were married in Wawanesa. Their son Greg was born in 1967, and son Glen in 1969. Through the years, Eleanor took much pleasure from sharing laughter and good times. She enjoyed dancing, playing cards and attending functions with friends. She also enjoyed the numerous motor trips to visit her brothers, their families, and other relatives in British Columbia, Calgary and Saskatoon. A highlight was a trip in 1978 to England to the area where her father had grown up, and to visit relatives still there, and also to Scotland and Wales. Despite her activities, she always had time to look out for the well being of her parents, who had retired to Brandon. After their passing, she then began checking on an elderly uncle who lived in Wawanesa. Eleanor would take him out food packages to last him through the week, look after his laundry needs, and also brought him to live with us during the colder winter months, until his passing in 1984 in his 99th year. After retirement, Eleanor and Lloyd took bus tours to Alaska, Nashville, Biloxi/New Orleans, Casino tours and more motor trips to visit son Glen who was living in Columbus, Ohio. They enjoyed visits to relatives living in Waterloo, Barrie and Welland, Ontario, to Nova Scotia and the Maritime provinces, Texas, Mexico, and an air tour to Las Vegas. She liked to take in as many spring and fall suppers that were held in an 80-km radius. Eleanor is survived by husband of 48 and a half years, Lloyd, sons Greg and Glen of Calgary, Alberta, sister Dorothy Robertson (Grant) of Calgary, formerly of Boissevain, Manitoba, sisters-in-law Dorothy Haithwaite of Wawanesa, and Bernice McDonald of Rivers, Manitoba; brothers and sisters-in-law Alex and Marg McDonald of Calgary; Jack and Peggy McDonald of Winnipeg; and numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Colorado, USA. Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, James (1974) and Nellie (1971); brother Bob Haithwaite, Keremeos, B.C., brother Jack Haithwaite and his wife Vi, Surrey, B.C.; brother Melvin Haithwaite, Wawanesa; brother and sister-in-law Angus and Marie McDonald, Brandon; brothers-in-law Glen McDonald, Rivers and Wallace McDonald, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The funeral ceremony was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Shannon McCarthy of Central United Church officiating. Interment followed in the Brandon Cemetery. Pallbearers were nephews, Rick Haithwaite, Bob, Lorne and Tom McDonald, John MacLellan and Jim Fortune. All in attendance were considered Honorary Pallbearers. A time of fellowship and visitation was held in the Central United Church Auditorium following the ceremony and interment. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 727B-10th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 4G7, the Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th Street E., Brandon, MB, R7A 7M6, or to a charity of your choice.