Obituary of Barbara Emily MacDonald

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Barbara Emily MacDonald (nee Stone), 95, on Friday April 19, 2024, at the Willow Square Continuing Care Center in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Barbara was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia to Malcolm and Eliza (Marsh) Stone on November 26, 1928. While she spent her childhood in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, she spent most her adult life in Sydney, Cape Breton and her final years in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She always considered herself a Cape Breton-Newfoundlander and a tough one, at that. Barbara’s whole life was devoted to sharing love and caring for others; her greatest joy in life was caring for children. In addition to raising her and her husband, Donnie’s, four children, she was a foster parent for more than 50 children over 30 years and she always loved her babies. When asked what her greatest accomplishment was in life, she replied “Being a good mother”. A plaque proclaiming this hung at the entrance to her rooms at Willow Square. All her children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and foster children would amend this statement by saying her greatest accomplishment was being an exceptional mother.

Even though dementia stole her memory in her later years, she continued to enrich people’s lives with her easy love and gentle spirit. She remained, in essence, the kind, welcoming soul that she had always been. Other residents and staff at the Willow Square Continuing Care Center saw her as a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air. From her smile and her kind acceptance, many people took inspiration and comfort from just being in her presence.

The family is very grateful to the Willow Square Continuing Care Center for the exceptional care provided to Barbara. She truly loved her home with them in each cottage where she resided: Pine, Poplar, or Birch. A special thank you to Dr. John O’Connor for always being responsive to her medical needs.

Barbara leaves to mourn her three daughters: Carol Ann Theberge (John) of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Cynthia Mann (Bill) and Constance MacIntyre (Wayne) both of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia as well as her dear son Donald (Sandy) MacDonald of Fort McMurray, Alberta. She is also survived by her sisters Rebecca Miles and Bertha Steele, her brother Bernard Stone (Cathy) and her sisters-in-law Erna Stone, Mary Stone, and Anne Stone, all of Cape Breton. In addition to her four children, Barbara and Donnie shared five grandchildren: Kelleigh Grant (Dwight), Elyssia Ryan Theberge, Shannon Burke (Clifford), Robyn Burke (Pat) and Melissa Burke (Robbie). They also shared eight great-grandchildren: Deklin, Emileigh, Matthew, Makenzie, Aiden, Liam, Jordan, and Shayna.  As well, they loved and appreciated their many nephews and nieces and their families.

Barbara was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald, in 2005, after 51 years of marriage. She is also predeceased by her parents, her brothers Everett, Floyd (Erna), Aubrey (Mary), Harvey (Anne) as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Neva Stone and older brother and sister-in-law, Malcolm and Marjorie Stone and brother-in-law John Miles.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that memorial donations be made to Dr. Jack Jhamandas' Alzheimer's research fund at the University of Alberta.

Go to uabgive.ca/tribute and choose "Neurology Research (Jhamandas Donation Account)" to make a gift online, or send donations payable to the “University of Alberta” to the Office of the Recording Secretary | 3-600, 10230 Jasper Ave NW | Edmonton AB T5J 4P6, noting your donation is in memory of Barbara Emily MacDonald. For any additional assistance please email giving@ualberta.ca.

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Funeral Service Live Stream (Click Here)