Jacqueline Joy MacDonald

It is with deep sadness, but also with hearts full of wonderful memories, that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Mom, Jacqueline Joy MacDonald, at Ridgeview Lodge in Kamloops on the evening of Saturday, August 22, 2026, with her family lovingly by her side.

Mom was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on August 5, 1932. She spent her early years there before moving to Grand Forks, BC, in her late teens. It was in Grand Forks, in 1949, that she met the love of her life, Joseph Dougald MacDonald. Their journey together would last 66 wonderful years.

Mom and Dad raised four children—Danny, Coleen, Joanne, and Karen—and built a loving family while living in several BC communities, including Oliver, Keremeos, and Duncan. In 1966, they settled in Kamloops, which became home for the rest of their lives.

Mom was, above all, a homemaker who took enormous pride and joy in caring for her family. Our home was always busy, welcoming, and full of the wonderful smells of something Mom was baking. Friends of her children quickly learned which day was baking day and were more than happy to invite themselves over for a treat. Mom never seemed to mind. In fact, she loved having people around her.

She was a wonderfully talented and creative woman. She sewed, knitted, did needlepoint, gardened, and created beautiful things with her hands. She was also an avid bowler and earned many awards over the years, a testament to both her talent and her competitive spirit.

But one of Mom's greatest creative passions was ceramics. What began as a hobby and a love for creating beautiful pieces eventually grew into the MacDonald Ceramic Studio in our family home. Mom opened her doors and shared her talent with anyone who wanted to learn. That little studio became much more than a place to make ceramics. It became a place filled with laughter, friendship, creativity, and countless memories. People who learned from Mom still talk about those days and the wonderful times they had in her home. They remember her fun and energetic personality, her patience, her incredible eye for detail, and the pride she took in helping others create something beautiful. So many gifts—and even more smiles—came out of the MacDonald Ceramic Studio. Mom had a special gift for making people feel welcome and making them believe they could create something wonderful.

Mom was also a longtime member of the Catholic Women's League, where she formed many treasured friendships. Her faith was an important part of her life, as were her family and her community. She loved her home, her garden, her crafts, family holidays, and, most of all, the people she loved.

Mom and Dad also loved to travel. After Dad retired, the two of them took advantage of every opportunity to see the world together. Dad always said that “the best classroom in the world was being out in the world,” and they certainly embraced that philosophy. Their travels took them throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Alaska, the United States, and across Canada. They especially loved cruising, both on the ocean and along the rivers of Europe. And if there was music and dancing on board, you could count on Mom and Dad being out on the dance floor, swirling around together and enjoying every minute of it.

Their love story was a beautiful one, and Mom has now gone to join the love of her life and her husband, Joe. We take comfort in knowing that they are together again.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Ivy and John; her siblings Patricia, Kathleen, and her younger brother Barry; and her beloved grandson Shea.

She leaves behind four children, Karen, Joanne, Coleen, Dan and their spouses, nine grandchildren and their spouses, and twelve great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind countless extended family members, friends, and former students from her ceramic studio whose lives were touched by her kindness, creativity, humour, and generosity.

We will miss so many things about Mom: her laughter, her energy, her creativity, her baking, her stories, her determination, and the way she could make a house feel like home. We will miss seeing her hands busy creating something beautiful. We will miss the warmth she brought wherever she went. Most of all, we will miss simply having Mom with us. Her life was filled with family, faith, friendship, creativity, adventure, and love. She gave so much of herself to the people around her, and the memories she created will live on in all of us.

Rest peacefully, Mom. You are back in Dad's arms now. We love you, and we will carry you with us always.

Many thanks to all the incredible Ridgeview Lodge Nursing Home Care Aids, Nurses, Staff and Medical Team. Your respect, kindness, caringness, and thoughtfulness to our Mom was exceptional.

All who knew Jackie & the family are welcome to join in this beautiful Celebration of Life. Please wear bright, vibrant, colourful attire to this joyous event as colours of the Rainbow are Mom's Celebration theme.

A Celebration of Jacqueline's Life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Schoening Funeral Service, 513 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC. with a reception to follow at Schoenings.