Obituary of Eva Catherine McDonald

Eva Catherine McDonald,88 Port Morien, NS At the age of 88, with her family by her side, Eva Catherine McDonald (Nicholson), peacefully passed at Seaview Manor, on March 19th, 2023. Born in Port Morien in 1934, she was the daughter of Catherine (Burchell) and Neil Nicholson. She lived in Morien all her life, except for a brief time in Halifax while working with the CIBC. It was here she married her husband of 48 years, Wendell McDonald. Mum ‘worked from home’ before it was a popular work lifestyle, raising seven children and tending to the farm animals. She was always there to meet us, and later her grandchildren, after school with a warm welcome to see who and what we learned today. As an avid gardener, Mum always had a large vegetable patch, her flower beds were by far her greatest passion, especially dahlias and gladiolus. She had a lovely bed of evening primrose, until Da accidentally mowed them over. That was a memorable day! She never met a flower she didn’t like; we would travel around in the spring checking out the local and not-so-local greenhouses. While some enjoy pub crawls, Mum loved garden center tours, purchasing samples of both new and familiar plants. Always up for a drive, she was a great companion for long and short trips, loving the journey to the destination. Winters were spent reviewing the seed catalogues by the fire, and preparing for spring. She enjoyed her time outdoors with Sandi’s dog Ben as her companion. Her love of reading, recipes and gardening was passed on to her family to continue the tradition. Always proud of her children, she would remind anyone she met “I had five boys and two girls!’ Her early stories of her brothers, sisters and parents were also memorable. They shared a special bond that brought them through many of life’s challenges. Her brothers were there for her to help with the boys when Dad had to work away, even taking her to the hospital to deliver. Lauchie to drive, and Buddy to babysit. Her sisters, Georgie, and Carol, were her best friends, talking on the phone to share a recipe, or a good story. Mum’s greatest love was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Even as her illness progressed, she would reach for the babies to smile and cuddle. A special memory for the grandkids is Nanny’s song “Ride Ride to Boston”. Mum lived with Alzheimer’s for many years, keeping her cheerful and pleasant personality intact. Always glad to see you, Mum would let you know with a tweak to your nose or her trademark poke to your tummy, as her caregivers can all attest to! While the disease took so much from her body and mind, it left a happy memory with all that met and cared for her. We thank the staff at Seaview Manor for caring for Mum when we could not be there, for their kindness and compassion shown to her and our family over the past four years. Survived by sons John (Donna), Port Morien; Paul (Jennifer), Birch Grove; Doug (Barb), Milford Station; Bob(Debbie), Glace Bay; Ross (Lisa), Port Morien; daughters Sandi (Brian Lavigne), Port Morien; Barb (Brad) Kennedy, Port Morien; grandchildren, Angela(Greg) Turner; Andy McDonald; Alex (Erin) McDonald; Beth (Matthew) Graham; Bridgette (Brock) McDonald; Stephanie McDonald; Corey (Janette) McDonald; Mandy (Will) Vosman; Becky (Spencer) van Diepen; Cassie (Anderson) McDonald; Kaleigh (Matthew) MacAdam; Holly (Michael) Kelloway; Nicki (Mike) Bourgeois; Rachel (Andrew) MacDonald; Katie Kennedy; Riley (Victoria) Kennedy; 19 great grandchildren; daughters-in-law Cathy McDonald and Wendy McDonald; sister Carol MacIntosh, Trenton, Ontario; sister in-law Rosaleen McDonald, Wolfville; many nieces and nephews, especially Kevin, Bruce and Tanya Nicholson. Mum was predeceased by her husband Wendell; daughter-in-law Carol and granddaughter, Margaret Jane McDonald; parents, Neil and Catherine Nicholson; sister Georgie (Danny) MacLean; brother Neil (Buddy) Nicholson and sister’s in-law Ann and Sylvia; brother Lauchie (Mae) Nicholson; brother in-law Roy MacIntosh; nephews Jackie and Stuart Nicholson. I AM AT PEACE by Jennifer Alderton There was a time when I was free To live my life in harmony, Before the illness, which blighted me, Swept faces and places from my mind, People I loved from my memory. Remember me as I used to be. Think of me; remember my smile, The love we shared; linger awhile. I am at peace now, I am me. At rest for all eternity. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and compassion of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, NS. 902.849.4199 In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia or charity of choice. Words of remembrance may be expressed to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.