Joan McDonald (Ryan)
March 24, 1932 – April 25, 2020.
Joan passed away peacefully Saturday at the Maxville Manor, from Alzheimer’s disease. She is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Donald (Donnie) Gordon McDonald (December 17, 1930 – November 28, 2016). They were married on May 18, 1963 in Brussels, Ontario.
Joan’s loss will leave an indelible mark on her seven children and their families, including Grant (Monica), Elaine (Terry), Heather (Duncan), Mark (Isabel), Patricia (Greg), Ross (Tina) and Brian (Karine) and her 18 grandchildren. She is survived by her loving family, including Jack, Gerry (Anne), Teresa and Betty, her sisters-in-law, Hazel, Mary and Margaret and brother-in-law Ewan as well as her many, many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by her parents, brothers Bob, Jim and Nelson, sisters-in-law Marianna, Barb, Anne, Margaret, Constance, Martine and Helen as well as brothers-in-law Angus, Hugh, Duncan, Harry, Bill and Charlie and her daughter-in-law, Aldona.
Joan was born on a farm on the outskirts of Walton, Ontario to Marjorie (Reid) and Lawrence Ryan. At 18 she went to London, enrolled in the four-year registered nursing program, and graduated in 1953 from the Saint Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing. Always known for her adventurous spirit, after graduation she moved to Banff in the early fifties to work, then moved on to Hawaii to continue her nursing career while pursuing more exciting travel experiences.
In 1957, Joan decided to broaden her education further at the University of Ottawa by enrolling in courses to allow her to become a public health nurse. After the excitement of Banff and Hawaii, her public health qualifications brought her back to London, then to Glengarry County where she met her husband Donnie in 1958. She also spent time working in neo-natal and pediatric wards at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, and hospitals in Clinton, Seaforth, Woodstock and St. Anne’s Veterans Hospital.
Joan lived out her life trying to remain true to her deep Catholic faith and love of family while maintaining an abiding respect and compassion for her neighbour.
The family wishes to extend its enduring gratitude to everyone at the Maxville Manor, whose professionalism, patience, kindness and generosity were nothing short of exemplary, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joan’s final resting place will be beside her husband Donnie, at St. Finnan’s Cathedral, Alexandria, Ontario.
If you would like to make a donation in Joan’s name, please consider Maxville Manor, or the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements under the care and direction of the Munro & Morris Funeral Homes Ltd., 114 Main Street S., Alexandria, Ontario, 613-525-2772. Online messages of condolence may be made in the obituary section of: www.munromorris.com
As a Memorial to Joan a tree will be planted in a memory woods. A tree grows – memories live.
March 24, 1932 – April 25, 2020.
Joan passed away peacefully Saturday at the Maxville Manor, from Alzheimer’s disease. She is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Donald (Donnie) Gordon McDonald (December 17, 1930 – November 28, 2016). They were married on May 18, 1963 in Brussels, Ontario.
Joan’s loss will leave an indelible mark on her seven children and their families, including Grant (Monica), Elaine (Terry), Heather (Duncan), Mark (Isabel), Patricia (Greg), Ross (Tina) and Brian (Karine) and her 18 grandchildren. She is survived by her loving family, including Jack, Gerry (Anne), Teresa and Betty, her sisters-in-law, Hazel, Mary and Margaret and brother-in-law Ewan as well as her many, many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by her parents, brothers Bob, Jim and Nelson, sisters-in-law Marianna, Barb, Anne, Margaret, Constance, Martine and Helen as well as brothers-in-law Angus, Hugh, Duncan, Harry, Bill and Charlie and her daughter-in-law, Aldona.
Joan was born on a farm on the outskirts of Walton, Ontario to Marjorie (Reid) and Lawrence Ryan. At 18 she went to London, enrolled in the four-year registered nursing program, and graduated in 1953 from the Saint Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing. Always known for her adventurous spirit, after graduation she moved to Banff in the early fifties to work, then moved on to Hawaii to continue her nursing career while pursuing more exciting travel experiences.
In 1957, Joan decided to broaden her education further at the University of Ottawa by enrolling in courses to allow her to become a public health nurse. After the excitement of Banff and Hawaii, her public health qualifications brought her back to London, then to Glengarry County where she met her husband Donnie in 1958. She also spent time working in neo-natal and pediatric wards at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, and hospitals in Clinton, Seaforth, Woodstock and St. Anne’s Veterans Hospital.
Joan lived out her life trying to remain true to her deep Catholic faith and love of family while maintaining an abiding respect and compassion for her neighbour.
The family wishes to extend its enduring gratitude to everyone at the Maxville Manor, whose professionalism, patience, kindness and generosity were nothing short of exemplary, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joan’s final resting place will be beside her husband Donnie, at St. Finnan’s Cathedral, Alexandria, Ontario.
If you would like to make a donation in Joan’s name, please consider Maxville Manor, or the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements under the care and direction of the Munro & Morris Funeral Homes Ltd., 114 Main Street S., Alexandria, Ontario, 613-525-2772. Online messages of condolence may be made in the obituary section of: www.munromorris.com
As a Memorial to Joan a tree will be planted in a memory woods. A tree grows – memories live.