Obituary of Bernice McDonald

Bernice Evelyn McDonald passed away peacefully, following a stroke, in the Riverside Nursing Home, Turtleford on March 29, 2009, at the age of 90 years. She was born on May 22, 1918 in Grain, Montana. In 1919 she moved to the Viscount district in Saskatchewan with her parents, Aagot and Anton Ruud. In 1922 the family relocated to the West Hazel district near Turtleford. On July 12, 1937 Bernice married Alistair McDonald, a farmer. She exhibited at the Turtleford Fair for seventy two years. She was a lifetime director of the Turtleford Agriculture Society, a past member of the West Hazel Helpers, the Women’s Institute, the Turtleford Seniors, the NDP Ladies group, the Art Club and TADRA. She enjoyed many crafts, sewing and quilting. Food was an important aspect of Bernice’s life, she liked to cook and bake. Tea time always included a large selection of goodies. She enjoyed meeting people, auction sales, gardening and visiting, especially with the grandchildren. A celebration of Bernice’s life was held in the Turtleford Community Centre on April 3, 2009 with Dale Brook, a long time family friend, conducting the service. Interment was in the Turtleford Cemetery with McCaw Funeral Service in charge of arrangements. Eulogies were given by the family. Bill Love of Calgary sang the 23rd Psalm. Special music “I Owe You” by Jimmy Dean was played. Bernice is survived by her daughter, Ethel Harmel of Maidstone and her son Alex and Marilyn McDonald of Turtleford. She also leaves to mourn seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, they are: Blair and Sherry McDonald, Justin, Austin, Tristin and Karstin of Turtleford; Bonnie and Jay Braun, Mattaya of Dalmeny; Blaine McDonald, Alexis of Turtleford; Becky and Nick St. Georges, Sierra of Calgary; Ross and Becky Harmel, Lauryn and Tyler of Maidstone; Andrea and Stephen Danychuk, Alishia, Christopher and Megan of Maidstone; Mark and Julia Harmel of Cape Town, South Africa; her sister Edith Nelson of Penticton and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Alistair, her sister Helen Briggs of Medicine Hat and her son-in-law Ray Harmel of Maidstone. The family of Bernice McDonald would like to thank the staff of the Riverside Nursing Home for their excellent care, Dale Brook for providing a personal and meaningful celebration of Bernice’s life; Bill Love for his beautiful solo; TADRA for the use of the Community Centre and the TADRA ladies for the delicious lunch following the service; friends and relatives for the flowers, food, charitable donations, visits, cards, phone calls, e-mail messages and hugs; the grandchildren and Ethel for sharing their memories and Glenn and Dale McCaw for their compassion and assistance in planning the memorial tribute to Bernice. Your many acts of kindness are greatly appreciated. The Harmel and McDonald families Donations in memory of Bernice may be made to the Riverside Health Complex Nursing Home or to a charity of the donors choice.