New Glasgow – Irene MacDonald, 92, passed away peacefully on October 15 in Glen Haven Manor. Born in 1919 in Fernie, BC, Irene was a daughter of Charles P. MacDonald and Florence (Jennings) MacDonald.
Irene’s life as a nurse began in 1939 in Montreal, PQ where she met the love of her life Harold A. MacDonald from New Glasgow. They were married in February 1942, two weeks before Harold was sent overseas. Upon his return in 1945 Irene and Harold started their family in New Glasgow. Irene retired from nursing at the age of 65 and began a second career volunteering with the VON retiring at the age of 89. Throughout her life Irene was a devoted wife and a staunchly proud mother and grandmother. She was an avid hockey, rugby and baseball fan and for many years enjoyed skating with her husband at the rink. Irene was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, a member of the NS Nurses Union where she held various positions, and a proud member of the Montreal General School of Nursing Alumni.
Surviving Irene are her children: Kathleen Hendriks, California; Kenneth (Beryl), Calgary; Peter (Lynn); Paul (Cathy); Adele (Sheldon) Cameron, all of New Glasgow; and Carol (Andy Phillips), Ottawa; 16 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; a sister, Jean (Mac) Arnold, Quebec and a brother, Douglas, Vancouver.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Harold, infant daughter Mary, great-grandson Oliver Graham, sisters Florence, Kathleen and Bertha, and brothers, Donald and Kenneth.
The family will receive visitors from 2-4 and 7-9 Tuesday, October 18 in the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am Wednesday, October 19 in Our Lady of Lourdes Church with Father Bill Rankin officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the IWK Health Centre or to the IWK Oncology Family Fund. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.rhporter.ca