Dedicated nurse, creative homemaker, nurtured generations of children
McDonald. (Courtesy photo)
A beloved mother and grandmother (Amoo), Mona Marie (MacIsaac) MacDonald, died Oct. 12, 2023, at the age of 84. The only child of Bridget (Keenan) and Walter A. MacIsaac, Mona was born and raised in Glace Bay on the island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and was currently of Almonte, Ontario. She was adored by her husband’s large family, and her mother-in-law, Blanche, took her right under her wing as if she was one of her own.
Mona followed in her mother’s footsteps and earned her diploma as a registered nurse from St. Martha’s School of Nursing in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where she met Bernie. After a few years of living with her young family in Halifax, Ottawa, and in Montreal, the family settled in Harvard for 15 years. She was a second mom to many here, as neighborhood children would enjoy punching down the rising bread dough in her kitchen, and baking goodies. She was busy and creative in the home, making assorted relishes from Bernie’s bumper crops, knitting and sewing clothes, giving haircuts and perms at the kitchen table, hosting the annual Christmas caroling group, and using her artistic talents to transform the house into a beautiful, warm, and welcoming home.
Her kind, compassionate, and sweet nature made her an excellent nurse, and after briefly working at Nashoba Hospital in Ayer, she transitioned to private home care. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a quick laugh, was easily delighted, and was lots of fun. At the height of the hippie era, while Bernie was away on business, she got the idea to plaster the family VW bug with big colorful flower stickers. She made sure to have her enthusiastic young girls do the deed instead of herself, so she wouldn’t get in trouble with Bernie.
She was an animated Sens fan and loved rooting for her grandchildren in their athletic, musical, and outdoor adventures. Her happy place was with a big mug of tea, tucked into her chair, engrossed in a novel.
Mona was predeceased by her husband, Bernie MacDonald. She will be deeply missed by her three daughters: Angela (the late Dennis Burns); Jan (Steve Boletchek); and Gena (Tony Morrow); and by her treasured grandchildren: Joshua, Andrew, and Matthew Desjarlais; Sonya (Matt Ireton); Jason Morrow; Audrey and Ben Burns; and Christian and Ian Boletchek. She also leaves her great-grandchildren, Cadence and Carter. Mona never made a distinction between step-grandchildren or foster children (under Gena’s care). The children were all family, and always included. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews, and by her sister-in-law, Martina, and brother-in-law, Ralph, on the MacDonald side. Mona’s family thanks the staff of Fairview Manor in Almonte, Ontario, for compassionate care. A funeral Mass was held Nov. 17 at the Holy Name of Mary Parish, St. Almonte, Ontario. Leave condolences at www.crgamble.com.
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