Donna May McDonald

“Anything is possible.” That is what Donna McDonald believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Donna thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Donna was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

Donna went through a period when her creative outlet was poetry. She had a school scribbler filled with her poetry which, unfortunately has been lost. Her sister Carol does remember one of her poems.

"See the old man with the old, frail broom

Sweeping other people's dirt in a cold, grey room

They laugh and they scorn him

As they go passing by.

Deep inside it hurts him so

That he hangs his head to cry

He hangs his head to cry."

This poem shows, that, even as a young girl, she had a great deal of empathy for the disadvantaged. This sentiment was echoed throughout her life as evidenced by her generosity with her family. Several members of the family lived with Allen and Donna such as her brother-in-law Kevin, who stayed with them in Calgary where Allen found him employment as a summer student. Her sister Carol lived with her for a summer as well. Her work with children, particularly handicapped children, as a school bus driver was another example of Donna's big heart. She sang songs and gave out treats to her "kids". Donna always dressed up for holidays when driving bus. They would be greeted by the Easter Bunny or Santa. She would often get her husband Allen to don a costume and help her out on the bus!

       Her parents were Amy and Howard Parlow. Howard was a construction worker with tickets in welding, steamfitting and pipefitting. Because of his occupation the family traveled for work. Consequently, Donna was born in Hamilton but spent some of her childhood in Albion Falls, Bright's Grove, Spanish and finally Sault Ste. Marie. Because of her Dad's ability to renovate, the family often lived in rented properties which he would fix and repair in exchange for a break in rent. This means the family moved several times while in the SOO. Donna lived in two houses on Moss Road while her Dad put in plumbing. This required the family use an outhouse and bathed in a tub in the kitchen. The family then moved to a large house on Central St. in Bayview. Donna and her sisters would play hide and seek in the house which had large closets that connected rooms. Donna then moved to Spruce St. where she attended Cody School. After that, the family moved to Bruce St. where she attended Campbell School. The house on Dennis Street was where she lived when attending Tech. Her parents divorced at this time and Amy moved the family to Morin Street above a butcher shop. Shortly after this, Raymond MacDonald became her stepfather and the family moved to Bush St. Donna was married while the family lived on Bush St. Her stepdad (Ray) and mother moved to John St. and later Donna moved two doors down with her family. This feeling of extended family was highly valued by Donna.

She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Donna could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Donna's family relationships. Donna was raised with two siblings. She had one older sister, Linda, and one younger sister, Carol. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Donna was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Donna enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Donna was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

      Donna was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Donna was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Donna to be very stimulating company. Donna's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. Later in life, she became close friends with Irene Carrier and Elaine Spreader.

      On April 17, 1971 Donna May Parlow exchanged wedding vows with Allen Kenneth McDonald at John Wesley United Church of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Donna was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Donna was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Donna was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Allen. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Donna loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Allen's.

      Donna was blessed with two children, two daughters, Tammy and Keri. They were also blessed with two grandchildren, Tianna and Megan. Someone who was quick to laugh, Donna found it easy to spend lots of time with her children.

      As a born inventor, Donna was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Donna was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Donna was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Her primary occupation was School Bus Driver. She was employed for 15 years by A. J. Bus Lines. Donna always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Donna's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Donna was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Donna simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuits were ceramics and video games mainly Super Mario. She fostered her love of video games in her youngest grand daughter, Megan. What young Megan didn't know, was her video control wasn't hooked up!

      Donna's demeanor and eternally positive outlook served her well in sports. Recreational sports included softball and golf. One issue with golf was, Donna brought her baseball exuberance to the course, yelling and doing a happy dance when she sunk the ball. Such was Donna's enthusiasm that other golfers didn't seem to mind. They just chuckled and played on.

Her love of sports is passed on to her daughters and grand daughters who all excel in the sport of their choosing. Donna coached her daughters in baseball. She was there to cheer on her grand daughter Megan in soccer and Tianna in hockey. Her pride in their accomplishments was evident for everyone to see as every newspaper clipping and/or school article/picture of them was on the fridge. The fridge looked like a McDonald sports collage!

Donna was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were professional ice skating and professional basketball.

Donna's love of Christmas was apparent when viewing her extensive collection of Santa's. One year, when Allen couldn't get home for Christmas from Saudi Arabia, Donna kept the Christmas tree up until March. She is the only person we've seen who had to dust the Christmas tree!

Her other collection was all things coca cola. Donna was in 7th heaven if you found her a Santa holding a coke bottle! At her funeral, her good friend Gay sent a flower arrangement with a silver coca cola bottle in it. Her daughter Keri had a coca cola bottle tattooed on her arm as the ultimate remembrance of her Mom.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Donna. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Donna to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included Mexico and England.

      Donna was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Her family was rounded out by her dog Max and cat Pepi.

      Even while in retirement, Donna never stopped exercising her inventive talents, and this new phase of her life provided new and interesting challenges. Even in retirement, Donna continued to stay in touch with her old friends.

In 2001 Donna suffered a debilitating stroke. She and Allen handled the challenges with love and humour. We have talked about Donna's inventiveness and her ability to find a better way. This capacity for resourcefulness was, again, very evident. Donna would come up with an idea and Allen would make it so! An example of this was Donna's bathroom. Wherever Donna's hand touched, Allen would install a grab bar. She had more grab bars than probably any one else with her disability! Donna was Queen of the Remotes. She had controls for the curtains, thermostat, lights and T.V. She ran the living room from the comfort of her remote controlled chair! She called Allen her CinderAllen; the rest of the family called him Saint Allen! Allen always involved Donna in decisions be that redecorating the house or giving orders in the kitchen. If anyone ignored Donna, she would tell them; "I've had a stroke, I'm not retarded". Allen always made sure she was heard and her opinion was respected.

      Donna May passed away on January 7, 2016 at Sault Ste. Marie and Area Hospital. Her stroke led to heart problems, then pneumonia and a weak heart. She is survived by husband, Allen, daughters, Tammy and Keri, grandchildren, Tianna and Megan, Sisters, Linda and Carol, Step dad, Ray as well as her nieces and nephews. Services were held at Arthur Funeral Home. Donna May was laid to rest in New Greenwood Columbarium.

      During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Donna. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Donna was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Donna, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Donna May McDonald, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.

Donna will always be remembered for her phone calls that would end with "Very good then, that's all. I love you".

We love you too, Donna.

Eulogy by Helen Smith- Funeral Service for Donna McDonald January 11, 2016

Donna was born July 15, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario, the daughter of Howard and Amy. She had two sisters Linda and Carol. Her father worked construction and the family moved around a fair bit. A great deal of her growing up was spent in the Sault Ste Marie area.

Donna liked playing baseball and in the Moss Road neighbourhood there were always friends to play with, as well as her sisters. Donna was tiny but fiesty and no one ever picked a fight with her sisters, or they would answer to her.

Donna would open the Christmas presents before Christmas, and carefully wrap them up again so her parents wouldn’t know. They didn’t put names on the gifts till Christmas so she would barter with her sisters, if you get this and I get that, I will trade you. She never gave up the opening and rewrapping of Christmas gifts, she just couldn’t wait to find out what she was getting.

Donna always wanted to be a hairdresser. She would do her younger sister's hair but her mother wouldn’t let her cut it, so she simply cut her sister’s dolls hair instead. Eventually she did go to hair dressing school and for a while worked as a hairdresser. Again, she combined compassion with her profession, often going to the homes of shut-ins to do their hair.

Hair was a thing in her life. She always had her hair just so and she wasn’t afraid to use hairspray. When she worked driving a bus her boss called her helmet head. Just to be on the safe side she had a wig or two or three in case of a bad hair day.

Donna met her future husband Allen when she was with a friend of his sister. It wasn’t until a few years passed and she was working at the Black Night that they started dating and the rest is history. Allen and Donna were married forty-five years ago. They were blessed with two daughters Tammy and Keri.

Donna was a good mom; loving but strict. You couldn’t pull anything on her. She kept the entire family in line; not just her daughters but her nieces and nephews too. You never went to a party she didn’t want you to go to – she would come and get you! Donna was very loyal to all her family.

Allen’s job often took him out of town or even out of country. They had lived in Calgary and Quebec and Wasaga Beach to mention a few places, but Donna wanted a home base and so they moved to Sault Ste Marie.

Over the years she wrote many, many letters to Allen as he worked in far away places. She was keeping in touch with the love of her life and that was important to her. She made her daughters sing songs on tapes and took tons of pictures of them so he could see his daughters and not miss the important things in their lives. Donna knew the importance of family and of staying in touch.

Their home became the gathering place for the neighbourhood children and that is how Donna liked it. She knew where her children were and what they were doing. They had a pool and many people enjoyed spending time at the McDonald home.

With Allen away so much, Donna decided she should go back to work and she started driving bus. Most of her cheque went to provide for the children on her bus run. Winter coats, mitts, boots, lunches; she made sure they were all taken care of.

Donna had a special place in her heart for children. Many young people had found refuge with Donna when life got too much for them. It might be a meal, it might be a place to stay for a night or two or however long, but it was a safe place where they were cared for and expected to follow the rules.

Christmas was important to Donna, she decorated with her hundreds of Santa’s, in fact her tree was all Santas. If she had her way the tree would be up from November to February. Allen once came home from working in Saudi Arabia in March and the tree was still up.

Becoming a grandmother to Tianna and Megan was so important to her. She loved these young ladies so much. As she did with her daughters, she taught them to be strong, independent people. She made sure they had opportunities and she taught them to laugh.

She let them play video games with her when they were small, they each had a controller and thought they were doing so well. Donna kept telling them how well they were doing. It wasn’t till much later that they realized she had unplugged their controllers so they wouldn’t ruin her level.

Once when Megan wanted to sleep outside in a tent, Donna told her she would find a way to do it. Donna didn’t want to sleep outside, maybe some memories of a childhood scare when sleeping in a tent. On the appointed night Megan asked what was happening and so Donna took her in the living room she sprayed Pine air freshner and put on nature sounds on the television and present Megan with a better way of sleeping outside, one with no bugs.

She made sure her granddaughters had stuff and good stuff, Tianna remembers things like a drum set and they were living with them at that point and moonboots and a special castle with a drawbridge out by the pool.

That was Donna, larger than life, a character. Every morning when she got up she would open the window and shout "Good morning neighbour." Donna had a way about her, not many people said no to her.

She took on city hall about late night noise from Dominion Bridge and she won. She also managed to get trees planted as a buffer. When her daughter moved and her granddaughter was going to have to change schools, she got the zoning changed – not an easy feat.

Donna was determined and she found a way to get things done. Allen thought he had picked out their first living room suite only to find out later that Donna had already bought it; she just guided him into picking that set. She got a mink coat and not the cheap one, that she loved and wore everywhere even with her jogging pants to the grocery store.

Donna was a good baseball player and she enjoyed the game. She coached her daughters and I believe her granddaughters instilling in them a love for the game that was so important to her.

Donna was not a cook, she knew how to order take out but cooking wasn’t her thing. Meat and potatoes were her thing. Her daughters never had salad until they grew up and went to eat at a friend's. She enjoyed snacking and had her snacks close at hand in a drawer beside her chair. She was generous with her grandchildren, as long as they didn’t take her last can of Pringles chips – that was a big no no.

Donna had an extensive collection of all things coca cola. Diet coke was her drink of choice and if something had coke on it chances are she had it in her collection.

Donna loved ice cream. She would go to the Dickie Dee distributor and buy it by the case. She also liked Dairy Queen Ice Cream bars.

Donna liked to keep busy and she wasn’t afraid to try anything. She drove the double decker bus, she drove school bus, she took hockey teams on trips. She did it all. Donna had her motorcycle license, her B license, her airbreak certification, an AZ license. For many years she drove school bus for AJ.

Fourteen years ago Donna had a massive stroke that changed her life drastically. She was hospitalized for three months and had to learn to talk and be mobile again. It affected her right side. Donna never gave up she fought and worked and managed to get home again. The rehab center at the Plummer Hospital was so helpful to her.

She didn’t lose Donna to that stroke, when she was still learning speak again, she was having a wheelchair assessment at the mall. The assessor kept putting questions and comments to her daughter when Donna caught his attention and said stroke, not retarded and he changed his tune quickly.

With her wheelchair and her determination she still managed to get herself to the hairdresser down the street – the only one she trusted with her hair. Out walking at the mall she could clear a path

Donna had enjoyed reading but after the stroke she didn’t read anymore. She did though enjoy watching television. Judge Judy and People’s Court, The Price is Right, Wheel of Forture was a part of her rehab, she didn’t want you solving the puzzles, she was the one who needed to use her brain to do that. She enjoyed television so much that she had two PVR’s to record shows so she could watch them at her leisure.

On Thursday you lost this unique woman. Donna had watched over you, she had care for you, she had guided you. How do you describe such a person in just words for Donna was much more than words.

In the scripture I read earlier it said to everything there is a season. Donna had many seasons in this life, seasons as daughter, sister, wife, aunt and friend. There were seasons of joy and celebration, and certainly seasons of illness, loss and grief. That scripture assures us that life has a rhythm, a balance we go through the good times and the struggles and each season helps to make us the person we are. Throughout her life Donna lived each season the best way she knew how. You honour her memory if you continue your journey cherishing the gift life is and embracing it and living it too its fullest just as Donna taught you to.

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McDONALD, Donna May – Passed away peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital on Thursday, January 7, 2016 with family by her side. Loving wife of Allen for 45 years. Caring mother of Tammy (Scott), and Keri (Rob). Proud grandma of Tianna (Justin), and Megan (Blake). Sister of Linda (late Adolph), and Carol (Kevin). Daughter of the late Howard Parlow and late Amy MacDonald (Ray). Sister-in-law to Colleen Cook. Donna will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to the staff at Sault Area Hospital Intensive Care Unit and to all her caregivers for their care and compassion. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 6 until 8pm. Funeral service held from the chapel on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 12pm with Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Memorial contributions to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.