Obituary of Doris Anne MacDonald

MacDONALD, Doris A. Pictou Doris Anne (MacLean) MacDonald passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Shiretown Nursing Home, Pictou on November 10, 2022. She was born to the late Howard and Bertha (Rankin) MacLean on Pictou Island, May 6, 1937. A sweet soul her whole life; she was the kind, generous smile everyone needs. Doris was a carer from a young age, selflessly leaving school to take care of her ailing mother and supporting her to the end. She was a hard worker, leaving the Island to go work at Magee’s Pea Factory and later, Hamilton’s Biscuit Factory. In 1959 she married the love of her life, Keith MacDonald, and they would return to their home on Pictou Island. The two have been blessed to share sixty-three beautiful years of marriage with a family she couldn’t have loved more. A dedicated baker, her holiday baking kicked off around Halloween with numerous pans of fudge and continued right through to Christmas, never complete without biscuits, chocolate cake with fudge icing, dainty cake and date squares. The MacDonald household was certainly always a Christmas stop. Her lunch for the first day of lobster season was renowned amongst the fisherman, with every sandwich meticulously prepared. She loved her Toronto Blue Jays and Maple Leafs, often the unsung armchair coach, she knew what the boys had to do to get a win and you’d certainly know when they did. She was a mother to all, be it her children’s friends or the four-legged variety; cats held a very special place in her heart. Although her later years were a long good-bye due to a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, her sparkle never faded and she won the hearts of all her caregivers. Doris taught us to roll with the punches and how to face adversity with grace. She is survived by her devoted husband, Keith; their three children, Kevin MacDonald, Myrna LeBlanc (Andrew) and Ruby MacDonald (Stephen); as well as their three granddaughters, Anna LeBlanc (Casey), Kristen Ross (Thomas) and Claire Ross. She is also survived by her step-siblings, Maxine Cox, Charles Dwyer (Eva), Bob Dwyer (Bev), and David Dwyer (Carolyn). Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Alfred MacLean; step-mother, Esther and step-siblings, Larry Dwyer, Mary Anne Cameron and Leona Heighton. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Shiretown Nursing Home, her home for the past seven years. Their kindness and dedication over the years, and especially the last few weeks, was something you’d see reserved for family and that is just what they were – family. Her remains are resting at McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Visitation will be held from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Monday, November 14th. A funeral service will take place Tuesday, November 15th at 1 PM at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church with Jacquie Ross officiating. Family flowers only please, donations in her memory may be made to ca-r-ma.org (Cat Rescue Maritime) - Antigonish Chapter.