Anne Colleen MacDonald

It is with great sadness that the family of Colleen MacDonald announce her passing on May 8, 2018, in the Palliative Care Unit of the VG Hospital in Halifax, ending a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Edwardsville / Sydney NS to the late James & Ruphina Lewis.

Survived by her husband of fifty years, C. Robert MacDonald; her two sons, Clarke (Andrea) and Craig, and her beloved grandchildren, Evan and Emily, all of Halifax. Also survived by brothers, Gary (Peggy), Hebbs Cross, NS, Jamie (Joyce) Riverview, NB, Michael (Darlene) Boutliers Point, NS, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and one surviving uncle, Basil Lewis, Ottawa.

Colleen was a graduate of Holy Angels Convent, Sydney, Nova Scotia Teachers College, Truro, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, and Mount Saint Vincent University where she earned the equivalent of a Masters Degree. She taught for over forty years in Nova Scotia in the following locations: Head of Jeddore, Westmount, Sydney, Whitney Pier, Dartmouth, and Halifax (Burton Ettinger, Fairview Heights, Duc D’Anville).

While in Cape Breton, she was a member of the Lingan Golf and Country Club, and the Sydney Curling Club.

Colleen loved the written word. She was a thoughtful poet and writer whose letters were cherished. She kept daily journals and especially enjoyed reading to her grandchildren.

She was a skier, a fisher, a dancer, could throw a mean pitch, and loved to go for walks in the woods and on the beach.

While living in Halifax (for 47 years), she was a canvasser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

An active Roman Catholic, she was a member of St. Lawrence and St. Agnes parishes.

Colleen was brave, proud, and the toughest person her family has ever known. She insisted on maintaining privacy in the face of her illness from the desire to spare her family and friends worry and grief. That was Colleen, kind to everyone.

Those that knew of her illness provided the family with unending support and for this we thank them.

Visitation will take place at J.A. Snow Funeral Home at 339 Lacewood Drive in Halifax on Monday, May 14, from 2 pm – 4 pm and 7 pm – 9 pm. Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, May 15, at St. Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Road in Halifax. Father Morris and Father Connelly officiating.

Family flowers only. Donations to be made to the IWK Health Center.