Fern Lenore MacDonald

We sadly announce the passing of Fern MacDonald (nee McLaren) three days before her 83rd birthday. Fern passed away peacefully on September 14th, 2014 in the Christine Morrison Hospice at the Mission hospital.

Fern was born in Prince Albert Saskatchewan on September 17th, 1931 – one of twelve children to Bill and Iva McLaren. Fern spent most of her early years in Hedley, B.C. where she met the star of Hedley’s baseball team, Ken MacDonald. Ken and Fern were married in 1949 and in 1951 were persuaded by people like Albert McMahon, Ken Dandy, Percy Buckle and Chuck Harrington to come and play for the Mission Aces baseball team. Ken and Fern had three boys, all born in Mission B.C. Fern was heavily involved in their activities, including all the sports they participated in. Also at this time, Fern’s sister Margaret came to live with the family and throughout the years Margaret and her husband Jim played an important role in Fern’s life. Throughout these years, Fern volunteered her time for the executive of Mission Minor Baseball, the Mission Marlins Swim Club, Mission Minor Hockey, and a later in life the Mission Curling Club. Sadly in 1973, her husband Ken died suddenly, and Fern was only 41 years of age. Fern, with her incredible strength of character and the support of her friends and family, over-came the grief and became an integral part of the Mission community. A highlight for Fern and her sister Margaret was being in Montreal in 1976 watching her son Gary win a silver medal at the Olympic Games.

Fern curled, played bridge and traveled and then in 1981 met another wonderful man, Ivan Golos, whom she married in 1983. By this time Fern had three grown sons and was fortunate to have four new grown step children. Fern and Ivan were lucky to have twenty-two years together of which they spent lots of time with Ivan’s twin sister Vivian Threthewey and husband Allan. Fern’s life was rich with five grandchildren and seven step grandchildren and a recent great grandchild, along with 2 step great grandchildren. We all know that Fern considered all her friends children and grandchildren to be her own as well. She truly loved and embraced family. Ivan passed away in 2005 and she was on her own again. She had her beloved dog Dani and an incredible array of family and friends to help her lead an active and enjoyable life.

Fern is survived by her three sons Dale (Leslie), Gary (Jennifer), Randy (Kari-Ann), step children, Glen, Gary (Carol), Shelley (Rudy) and predeceased by step-son Greg, along with the grandchildren and great grandchildren noted above. Fern is also survived by six brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews. Fern was blessed with so many friends and she will be missed by them. Fern loved life to the fullest and will always be remembered as a fun loving parent, grandparent, aunt and friend. We would like to express our thanks to the Mission Hospital, especially the Christine Morrison Hospice staff who are some of the most amazing, caring, professional people the family has met.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at St Andrews United Church, 7756 Grand Street, Mission on Friday, September 26th, 2014 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christine Morrison Palliative Care Wing at the Mission Hospital. Our family wishes to thank everyone for their out pouring of support while Fern was in Christine Morrison Hospice.