Dorothy M. McDonald

These are just a few words to describe our Mom and Grandy, Dorothy Marshall McDonald who passed in Halifax on September 13th, 2014.

Dorothy was predeceased by her loving husband, Bruce McDonald with whom she shared 64 wonderful years of marriage. Her life was never the same after her ‘love’ passed.

Dorothy McDonald was born as Dorothy Marshall Humble on December 25th, 1922 to Archibald Marshall Humble and Dorothy May Humble in Haddington, Scotland. She, her parents and brother, Robert immigrated to Canada in 1923.

Dorothy, at age 19, married Captain G.W. Bruce McDonald RCAF. They met on a blind date. During the war, they were moved to many places and made many lifelong friendships before moving back to Toronto. After the war, Dad graduated from the University of Toronto as an Optometrist. They, along with their young son, Brian, moved to Carleton Place, Ontario in 1947 to open Dad’s optometry practice. Mom contributed to the practice as an Office Manager and looked after their three children, Brian Gordon, Laurie Anne and Susan Dorothy.

One of Mom’s favourite events, as a young girl, was synchronized swimming. She loved the water. In Carleton Place, she became very involved with the summer swim program for the Parks Department.

Dorothy and Bruce were talented in many ways; they fulfilled and complimented each other so well. They had a marriage, a partnership, a love affair that was enjoyed and praised by those who knew them. In this day and age, they’d be called soulmates, lovers and best friends.

Dad built the kitchen cabinets, Mom stained them. Mom carved birds, Dad built the base for the bird. Dad put in the shower, Mom tiled the walls. They created a synergy. Mom came up with ideas and together they would make a plan and execute it.

Upon retirement in 1985, Bruce and Dorothy moved to Nanaimo, BC in order to expand their horizons and they met up with many of their RCAF and Ontario friends who also retired there.

Dorothy loved her family and adored being “Grandy” to her wonderful grandkids, Shannon, Kyle and Kelly. Mom’s eyes lit up at the thought of them and she followed their lives with great interest. Both she and Dad were so grateful to their son, Brian and his wife, Nancy for providing them with these terrific kids.

Gifted in many ways, Dorothy’s carvings won competitions both locally and in the United States. Her expressive Tole painted and her carved gifts provide family members with memorialization to her talents.

One of Dorothy’s favourite accomplishments was to become a Marriage Commissioner. Again, Dad often shared her career as her driver to various wedding locations. As an enthusiastic Marriage Commissioner, Dorothy performed marriage ceremonies for over 500 couples up and down Vancouver Island in her eleven year career. She retired in her early eighties.

Thanks to the staff of the QEII Palliative Care Unit 8.1 for their caring treatment of our mother.

Dorothy is survived by her family, Brian McDonald (Nancy, Shannon, Kyle, Kelly), Laurie McDonald, Susan McDonald Wilson (Dr. Allan Wilson).

Dorothy, Mom, Grandy is already missed by her friends and family but will always be remembered with gratitude and love.