Mary MacDonald

Mary Josephine MacDonald

(nee Vivier)

With great sadness we announce the passing of a loving mom, nan, sister, aunt and friend. Peacefully, on Sunday, December 26, 2010 at the Portage District General Hospital, with her family by her side, mom went home to be with her Lord and Saviour at the age of 66 years.

Mom was born on November 13, 1944 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba to the late Joe and Mary Elsie Vivier. She was raised in Portage la Prairie but later made her home in CFB Portage (Southport), Port Hardy and Ashcroft, BC as well as Ramea, Newfoundland. Mom returned to Portage with her family in 1975, where she resided until her passing. Mom was employed at Phillips Cable Ltd. until it closed in 1983 at which time she made a huge career change by taking her Health Care Aide course, gaining employment at the Lions Prairie Manor, where she worked until 1996. It was during that time, Mom first became ill. Her battle began in 1987 following her first bowel surgery. She was later diagnosed with Lupus and Malabsorption Syndrome.

She was the strongest person I knew, fighting until the end. "Little but mighty", her grandchildren would say. Mom often said her strength came from her belief in the Lord. Mom accepted Jesus Christ as her personal saviour in 1988 and was currently a member of the Prairie Community Church. "God will give us no more than we can handle" she used to say. This was a true reflection of how strong she really was.

A wonderful mom to Amelia (Dale) Sommer and "nan" to Eric and Mackenzie. Mom will now be reunited with her son Barth, who passed away in 2005. She has missed him so much. Her family were her life, always worrying, always caring. We will miss you mom.

Mom had fond memories of her siblings, always had a story to tell of each of them. No matter how far away they were, she always kept in touch. To mourn her passing are her brothers Gerry Vivier of Edmonton, Alberta, Henry (Margaret) Vivier of Powell River, BC and Clifford (Tammy) Vivier of Duncan, BC; her sisters Rose (John) Van Dijk of Chilliwack, BC and Ida (Jack) Brown, Julie Armishaw, Anne Barrault and Sheila (John) Harrison all of Portage la Prairie; as well as many nieces and nephews in Manitoba, BC and Newfoundland.

You will be missed by all. Mom had many friends whom she confided in the most. Thank you for being there for my mom.

Join us in a Celebration of mom's life on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 1:00 pm held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel led by Pastor Kevin Mills. Mary will be laid to rest next to her son Barth at Hillside Cemetery.

Your memory is our keepsake

With which we'll never part

God has you in His keeping

We have you in our hearts

"You were always there when we needed you."

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Mary's memory to Prairie Community Church , 2450 Sask. Ave. W., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3N8 or to The Lupus Society of Manitoba Inc., 105-386 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3R6

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel 857-4021 A message can be left in the on-line guest book at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com