Freda MacDonald passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15th at the age of 92. Dear wife of the late Reginald. Loving mother of the late Drake (Jeanne d'arc), Leslie and Brent, doting grandmother to Suzanne, Patricia (Brendan) and Amber and thrilled great-grandmother to Kyle and Quinn. She was the cherished older sister of her 5 brothers, the late Nicholas, the late George, the late William, Robert and the late Thomas and sister-in-law to the late Maureen, the late Diane, Anna and Carole. She will be fondly remembered as Aunt(ie) Freda to her many nieces and nephews.
Freda had a strong and tenacious spirit. Throughout her life she always up for challenge. She could cook, bake and knit but what she didn't know how to do, she would figure out. She learned to drive in her 30's and learned to swim in her 40's. She taught herself how to ride a bike somewhere in there. She taught herself to crochet from a book (that was before YouTube), learned macrame, line-dancing and even the Macarena.
She always wanted to have children and helping to raise her 4 brothers did not sway her from that. She was a devoted mother and was much loved by her children. When grandchildren came her way, she was thrilled and was ready to be as much a part of their lives as she could even when distance made it difficult. She did not get to enjoy her great-grandchildren as much as she would have wanted to but responded when they were around.
She always said that she retired three times in her life. The first time was when she got married and settled down into family life. She went back to school when her children became teenagers for accounting and got a part-time job that she did for many years. She only retired from that when her husband retired and they lived half of the year in Florida. After her husband's death, she worked at the Duty Free Shop at the Ottawa airport for many years. This she particularly enjoyed and made many lifetime friends there. She left there at the age of 70 and probably would have stayed longer had her vision not stopped her from driving.
Freda lived a long and full life and although her spark faded in later years, it was never truly extinguished. She always said never pass up the chance to have a good time and she didn't.
Friends are invited to a Memorial Service at Christ Church Bells Corners (in the chapel) on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow. The address is 3861 Old Richmond Road, Nepean, ON K2H 5C1. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (www.heartandstoke.ca).
Digital Guestbook
Tina Jeffrey
Christopher Basil
Dear Leslie, I share the sadness at the passing of your mom, my dear Aunt Freda. She was such a gem and big part of my life which I will always cherish. From the countless family visits growing up, through the joy of opening up her delicious Christmas fruitcakes, delivered for years, I remember her radiant smile, infectious laughter and such a great sense of practical wisdom. Her spirit was, and is, worth emulating, and I am very thankful for that.
Please pass on my sincere condolences and hugs to all those who can be with you for her Memorial.
My sympathies to Freda’s family. I was fortunate to have worked with Freda at the duty free shop for several years. You’ve captured her spirit beautifully. She was kind, helpful and extremely funny. Until we meet again.