Anna Frances (Heath) Macdonald
Anna Frances (Heath) Macdonald , of Qualicum Beach,
passed away on January 31, 2015 at the
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital at the age of 90.
Anna was born on September 6, 1924 to William Lewis and Jane Ann (Davidson) Heath on the family farm in Stanstead, Quebec. She was the youngest of four children and the only daughter. Both her mother, a former school teacher, and her father strove to give all their children the best education possible despite the Depression that hit farmers particularly hard. Anna joked that the lambs had paid her way through Bishop’s University but in fact she worked at a variety of summer jobs to help support herself. While at University, she met the woman who was to be her life-long best friend, Laurie Walker, and the man she was to marry in 1946, Donald Alexander Macdonald.
Anna taught briefly before her marriage and then she and Don set up housekeeping in Lachine, Quebec where they raised their three children. They subsequently moved to Shawinigan, Quebec, where Anna resumed teaching. Anna imbued scores of “her students” with her love of English and History. She followed their progress with interest, both in school and after graduation and kept in touch with several of them for years.
Anna and Don retired in 1987, little realising that in moving to Qualicum Beach, they were beginning a wonderful new chapter in their lives. Retirement was to be the happiest of times for them both. Anna and Don travelled widely and became active members of the community. Anna remained a member of Probus and the St. Mark’s Anglican Church until her death.
Don passed away in June, 2013. Anna was able to stay in her home due to the loving care and support of friends, neighbours and community support organisations. Since her death, neighbours and friends have told the family of the impact Anna had on their lives and how much she will be missed.
Anna is survived by: her children Donald Lee, Martha Laurie (Phillip) and David William Gordon (Monica); her grandsons Alexander Philip and Nathaniel Francis and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers Jason Lee, Franklin Davidson and William Watterson.
Cremation has taken place, with no visitation by request.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Qualicum Beach,
Reverend Dale Huston presiding.
Following the service, there will be a reception at the St. Mark’s Church Hall. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bishop’s University or to the Canadian Cancer Society.