Obituary of Marie McDonald

MCDONALD: On Friday, October 19, 2018, surrounded by family, Marie McDonald passed away in the Valley View Personal Care Home at the age of 80 years. Marie was born in Elkhorn Joyce Marie Cassell on July 18, 1938; she was the seventh child of eight (including seven girls and one boy) to Russell and Agnes Cassell. She graduated from Grade 10, which was as far as you could go to school in Elkhorn at that time. She worked odd jobs in Elkhorn and for a short time at the Brandon Mental Hospital. In 1955, she met and married Barry McMechan. Barry, as well as others working in the oil patch in Virden, boarded in the Cassell home. Barry and Marie lived for a time in Elkhorn. It was there that Donna was born in 1956. From Elkhorn, they moved to Lauder and later to Deloraine. Lynn was born in 1957 in Deloraine, Darlene in 1959, Kelly in 1960 and Russ in 1967. Marie helped Barry on the farm and raised babies, enjoyed gardening, but also had time to be an active member of the Royal Purple and the Deloraine Curling Club. For a few years, Marie ran the lunch counter at the Curling Club. In 1976, Marie was on the team that won the Mitchell Copp event in the Manitoba Ladies Curling Association Bonspiel and in 1979, won the Manitoba Sugar Event in that Bonspiel. Barry and Marie separated in 1980 and at that time Marie moved to Brandon. She worked at the sewing factory and at the YMCA. During this time she met Grant McDonald. Marie and Grant were married in 1985. While living in Brandon, Marie golfed a bit, still enjoyed gardening, especially perennials, but more avidly curled. At one time or another, she curled at Wheat City, Riverview and Brandon Clubs. There was hardly a curling club in Manitoba that she wouldn't be greeted by her name by some of the many people and close friends she made through curling. In 1985, Marie and Grant travelled to Scotland for the Air Canada Silver Broom World Curling Championships as spectators. This was a trip that she enjoyed very much, and they stayed an extra few days to explore the beautiful country. In 1987, Grant was transferred to Saskatoon and Marie had an opportunity to rekindle close friendships with her sisters Doreen and Betty. She continued to curl in Saskatoon as well. This is where she was first eligible to curl in the Senior Ladies. In 1989, Marie and Grant moved to Grand Prairie. Being the committed curling fans they were, they returned to Saskatoon in order to enjoy and volunteer at the Brier! In 1990, Grant was transferred back to Brandon! Marie was ecstatic to be back in Manitoba and closer to her kids and grandkids. Marie stepped back into curling. At that time, she worked for a time running the lunch counter at Murray Chev Olds and had a few other odd jobs. Her grandson, Doug, lived with her for a while when his Mom's house was bursting at the seams! In 1990, as well, she travelled to the Brier (Canadian Men's Curling Championship) in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, as the proud mother of the Manitoba Third. It may have been her most proud moment. In 2002, Marie and Grant separated. Marie continued to reside in Brandon and enjoy her curling, gardening and the company of friends, kids and grandkids. Marie reluctantly moved into Valley View Personal Care Home in 2010. When you mention Marie's name to the staff there, they all say how she loved her music; whether it was listening to the music that Lynn recorded on her iPod, the sing along's they have, their entertainment and the private times she had with the music instructor. Marie was predeceased by her parents: Russell and Agnes; brother Doug; sisters: Merle, Doreen and Betty. She leaves to mourn her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: daughter Donna Wiggins (Larry Harkness) and their children: Doug, Darla, Neil, Stefanie, Steven, Sarah and Nicole as well as 14 grandchildren; daughter Lynn and her children: Christine, Chantal and Kathleen as well as four grandchildren; daughter Darlene (Greg Maywood) and their children: Shea and D'Arcy as well as two grandchildren; son Kelly (Jo-Anne) and their children: Megan, Ashley and Dillon as well as four grandchildren; son Russ (Jennifer) and their children: Jessica, B.J., Danielle, Jagger as well as six grandchildren; Marie's sisters: Allie, Ena and Isobel. By my count: five children, 19 Grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren and still counting with three more due in the next six months. The family would like to thank the staff of Valley View Personal Care Home for her level of care during her stay, but especially the last few days. We'd especially like to thank Brenda and Paulo, who were her long-time favourites and made her feel so special. A Celebration of Marie's Life will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332 - 8th Street on Thursday, October 25 at 1:00 p.m. In honour of her love of bling, please wear your finest jewellery, if you're attending. In lieu of flowers, those choosing to do so, may make a donation in her memory to the Deloraine Curling Club, Box 484, Deloraine, MB, ROM OMO.