Sylvia Effie McDonald passed away peacefully at the Foothills Medical Centre on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the age of 88. She was born in December of 1936 in Manitoba to Agnes & Arthur Harvey. Along with her two sisters, Joyce & Lynn, she grew up in Oakbank Manitoba. Together they enjoyed all sports, mostly baseball and skating. From a young age, Sylvia knew she had a calling to be a teacher. After high school she pursued her passion, graduated from Teachers’ College and started her career in Clandeboye. There she fell in love with the people and town activities like church picnics and community dances. Most of all, she fell in love with a young man named Ian McDonald. After a long courtship they were married in Oakbank in July 1963. They moved to Calgary where Sylvia continued to teach, curl and create lifelong friendships. She taught until she had her children, then devoted her gifts to her family. She continued to be an avid curler at the Calgary Winter Club, sitting on most of the committees, recruiting new players and was the recipient of the Vi Knight award in 1997. Sylvia offered her many organizational talents to her children’s schools where again she sat on most of the committees and created lifelong friendships. She was a community builder always volunteering with sports, church or organizing a bridge club game.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ian; her daughters Susan, and Alison; her grandchildren; River, Brady, Brandon & Jonah. Sylvia was predeceased by her parents Agnes and Bill, and her sisters Joyce and Lynn.
A Celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at ST. DAVID’S UNITED CHURCH (3303 Capitol Hill Crescent NW, Calgary AB) on Friday, May 30, at 2:00PM.
Memorial donations in Sylvia’s name will be gratefully accepted by St. David’s United Church.
