1918-2017
Sister Mary Donalda MacDonald
1918-2017
MacDonald, Sister Mary Donalda,
99, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, the
Motherhouse, on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 in the 80th year of her
religious life.
Born in Ardness, Pictou Co., NS, and baptized Anne Cecilia,
she was the daughter of the late John Charles and Mary Isabel
(MacKinnon) MacDonald.
Sister Donalda entered the Sisters of St. Martha on September
15, 1935, pronounced her first vows on September 3, 1937, and her
final vows on September 3, 1940. Sister’s training and most
of her ministry was spent in the health care field. She did her
nursing studies from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Glace Bay in
1940, took further studies in Obstetrics in Lethbridge AB, and
returned to St. Martha’s Hospital to complete her nursing
studies and received her RN in 1948. In 1952, Sister Donalda did post
graduate work at the University of Toronto, receiving her
certification in Surgical Nursing and Clinical Supervision. In 1968,
she received her B.Sc. in Nursing from St. Francis Xavier University
in Antigonish.
During her years in ministry she served as Obstetric Nurse,
Director of Nursing Service and Inhalation Therapist in various health
care institutions owned by the Congregation. In Nova Scotia she
ministered at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Glace Bay, St. Rita
Hospital in Sydney, St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish; and
in Western Canada at St. Michael’s Hospital in Lethbridge,
AB, and at St. Peters Hospital in Melville, SK. After retiring from
direct health care service, Sister Donalda worked at Bethany Retreat
Center as hostess, studied and received a certificate in electrolysis.
She ministered in pastoral care at St. Martha’s Hospital,
while working in electrolysis at Bethany. In 1998, Sister Donalda
retired from active ministry to Bethany Infirmary.
Sr. Donalda was filled with music, often sharing her gift by
playing a tune on her fiddle, or yodeling. She would light up with a
bright smile at the slightest sound of music and in turn brought great
joy to those around her.
Sister was the youngest child in a family of fifteen
children. She is the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by six sisters Anne,
Catherine Smith, Marie Golden, Peg Waugh, Martha MacGillivray, and
Sister Mary of Calvary, CSM; and by eight brothers Al, Charles,
Donald, Jack, Joseph, Lawrence, Hughie and Ninian. She is survived by
many nieces and nephews.
The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning Friday,
October 13, at 11:15 a.m., where a Celebration of Vigil will be held
in Bethany’s Chapel on that same evening at 7:30. Liturgy of
Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, October 14, at 2:00 p.m.
in Bethany Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of Curry’s
Funeral Home.

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sister Mary Donalda MacDonald – 1918-2017.source

Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia

death notice Sister Mary Donalda MacDonald – 1918-2017- mortuary notice Sister Mary Donalda MacDonald – 1918-2017