Gertrude "Trudy" McDonald

Trudy McDonald

Trudy left this world peacefully on December 20th , 2017 with her family by her side at the Portage General Hospital.

Her legacy and life lessons will be lovingly remembered and light heartedly shared by her family and friends for years to come. Left to treasure her “Trudyisms” are five of her six children and their spouses, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; Cindy (David) Giroux, Dana Way (Lindsay), Kaeleigh, (great grandchild Miyah) and Josh; Tracey (Garth) Asham, Angel Arlan, Vance, Tanner and Lacey; Roxanne (Perry) Dickenson, Brett (Jodi), Brittany (Jay), (great grandchildren Taylor, Peyton and Greyson) and Angel Kaitlyn; Jay (Donna) McDonald, Riley and Shaun; Wendi (David) Moman, Keirston (Travis), (great grandchild Emma) and Alyssa.  Rose, as she was known by her surviving sisters; Ferne Green, Jane (Vern) Garnham, sister-in-law Joyce Milgaard and brother-in-law Mick Deman convinced her many nieces and nephews that they were her favourite “one”.  Also surviving are her Danish family in Denmark as well as special friends considered extended family.  Thank you to all of you who walked with her on her life’s journey and added times of joy and aided her in times of trouble.

Trudy was predeceased by her infant son Darryl, her grandson Arlan, her granddaughter Kaitlyn, her niece Cheryl, as well as her brothers Lorne, Calvin, Buster; her sister Lois, sisters-in-law Dorothy and Betty and brother-in-law Lloyd Green and her ex-husband Mark.

Gertrude Rosemarie was born in Snowflake, Manitoba and lived on the homestead farm until the age of twelve.  She always held a special place in her heart for Snowflake referring to the area as “God’s Country”.  After spending her teen years in St. Vital, MB, she enrolled in the Psychiatric Nursing program at the Manitoba School in Portage la Prairie, at the age of seventeen. During this time, she met and married the father of her children, Mark McDonald.  She left her nursing career to raise her children and partner in business at Arrow Taxi/Mac’s Messenger.  After her marriage ended mom worked tirelessly to provide for herself and her children, at one point having three jobs.  Fortunately, she was able to renew her nurse’s licence and resume her nursing career at the newly named Manitoba Developmental Centre.  Cumulatively she spent more than 30 years at the MDC and felt a special kinship with the residents and staff.

In her younger years she volunteered at schools, church, brownies, guides, skating, baton and baseball.  She especially loved to coach and ump baseball.  In her later years with declining health and mobility she stayed current in politics and sports so she could engage in discussions and with any luck for her – a good argument about one or the other.

Mom was the anchor of our family and despite her struggles her love was evident   in all the efforts she made to ensure all her children and grandchildren knew the importance of being self sufficient, giving, understanding people.

She wouldn’t want us to say she was a perfect saint.  She had her struggles and made her mistakes, but she would want us to say that people are people an no matter their perceived faults or circumstances, they deserve your respect and a charitable attitude.

At her request there will be no formal funeral service. Her family will celebrate her according to her wishes on December 27, 2017 at the Poplar Point Memorial Rink at 1:00 pm.  Bring your skates.

Flowers are gratefully declined, donations if desired, can be made to a charity of one’s choice.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021