SYDNEY, N.S. — The family of Winifred MacDonald laid their beloved matriarch to rest on Tuesday.
Winifred (Winnie) Jeanette MacDonald passed away Saturday at her home in Ironville surrounded by her family after a brief battle with cancer.
MacDonald was born on Nov. 17, 1934, in Sydney to the late Archibald and Ethel (Bartlett) MacDonald. She married well-known businessman and musician Lloyd MacDonald in 1956 and together they raised 12 children, many of whom have also gone on to be musicians.
An accomplished pianist, MacDonald also sang and played the organ. She was a choir director for two parishes for more than 45 years and she was also a pivotal member of her family’s Celtic band, Scumalash, which toured across the UK.
In addition to her musical skills, she was also renowned for her kindness and warmth towards others, as musician Fred Lavery of Lakewind Sound Studios can attest.
"I didn't know Winnie really well but I enjoyed chatting with her whenever we ran into each other at musical functions,” Lavery said. “I just felt a warmness about her and she seemed such a sweet and genuine person with a great faith and devotion to family."
Education was a lifelong long pursuit for MacDonald. She taught in several schools and then went on to work with adults with learning disabilities at the adult training centre in North Sydney. While raising her family, she attended Cape Breton University part-time over 20 years, earning a bachelor of arts degree with a major in history.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd, and their son, Patrick. She is survived by her sons, Jim (Joan), Chris (Judy), Paul, Michael (Taunia), Ron (Julia), Mark (Erin), Shawn (Charlotte), Dan (Jen), Martin (Kristen) and her daughters, Annie (Brian) Penney and Sandi MacDonald (Lloyd Morrison); her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ryan (Jenn), Alexa, Kristin (David), Nicholas, Jennifer (Darcy), Michael, Michelle, Victoria, Madison, Ashley, Allissa, Dylan, Connor, Alex, Sam, Ryan, Moira, Kelsey, Shara, Sylvia, Jerome and Frances. She is also survived by her siblings, Ann (Archie) Thomas, Jane (Jack) Snow, Sandy (Helen) MacDonald, John (Ann) MacDonald and Patsy (Rod) MacMullin, and a number of nieces and nephews.
