Alexanderina "Ina" Birch

Ina Birch (MacDonald), age 96, longtime resident of the Riverview area passed away peacefully on Monday September 2nd, 2024.

Born Alexanderina MacDonald in January of 1928 in Winnipeg to Scottish-born parents Morag Ferguson and Finley MacDonald. Finley was a dedicated officer of the Winnipeg Police and played bagpipes in the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band.

Ina grew up in the Lord Roberts area with her siblings Donald and Mary and attended Kelvin High School.

On July 30th,1949 she married Allan Edgar Birch, who had grown up in the house across the street. Ina worked in the catalogue department at Eatons until the birth of her son Donald Allan Birch in 1966. Allan and Ina had long awaited the arrival of their one and only child. Motherhood came naturally to Ina and she was a loving and devoted mother to Don. Ina spent many summers camping with Al and Don in Birds Hill Park and Big Whiteshell Lake. She had a deep affection for dogs which she passed down to her son. She was talented in the kitchen and was a skilled cook and baker. She grew her own vegetable garden and enjoyed making Crabapple jelly with apples harvested from the backyard tree. Ina overflowed with pride when her son followed in the footsteps of her father and became a police officer. Although the job took Don far from home, Ina was thrilled to visit him at his first posting in Lynn Lake, MB.

Ina will be sorely missed and is survived by her son Don, daughter-in-law Chelsea, step-grandson Luke, her nephew Bob MacDonald and niece Aynsley Carey (MacDonald). Don and his family are filled with gratitude to Aynsley, who devoted years of love and care to Ina until the end if her life. Ina was predeceased by her husband Al in 1995.

In keeping with Ina's wishes there will be no service and, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ina's name to the Winnipeg Humane Society.