Obituary of TERESA MARY MCDONALD

TERESA MARY MCDONALD (nee MCGAVOCK) With her family by her side and her husband Norman holding her hand, Teresa McDonald completed her earthly journey on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at the Seven Oaks Hospital. Nanny was born July 21, 1922 and lived her life in Winnipeg. Left to celebrate and remember her long life, her husband of 65 years Norman; her sons, Michael (Alison), Gerard (Theresa) and John (Susan); grandchildren, Katherine (Dan), Jacqueline (James), Brandon, Scott, Andrew, Amy (Brandon), Cole and great-granddaughter Emersyn. Nanny also had many friends. Nanny was predeceased by her loving son Donald James; parents, Frank and Theresa McGavock as well as all her brothers and sister, John, Frank, Alex, Vincent and Rose Lyons. Nanny spent her entire life in Winnipeg. She attended St. Joseph School, Holy Ghost Catholic School before continuing her high school at St. Boniface College. From there she began her work at British American Oil before getting married and taking on the blessings of raising a family with her love Norman. The house may have been full with five males and mom but there was no mistaking who ran the home. Nanny ruled with a soft hand and a loving heart. As moms do, she was always there for us from picking us up when we fell, patching cuts and scrapes, while providing wonderful family meals. At Christmas time everyone looked forward to her short bread cookies and snowballs. Later on as we got older Nanny would edit and type all our school and University papers on her manual typewriter. She did it all with a smile. As a grandmother she continued to babysit not only our children but all of their friends. Classmates and friends would follow our children home knowing they would be welcomed with a warm friendly smile and some kind of delicious dessert (but not enough to spoil dinner). The home became the unofficial after school program and everyone referred to her as Nanny. Nanny spent many hours volunteering at St. Anthony's Parish. She belonged to the CWL and played the organ for over 40 years at weddings, funerals as well as weekly Sunday mass. We could write volumes of the wonderful things our mother did for us and others but that would not be our mom's style. She didn't even need a thank you (although she received many). Nanny just did what Nanny knew was the right caring thing to do. Nanny's family wishes to thank all the wonderful care givers of St. Joseph's Residence for their professional care and compassion. We also thank the Seven Oaks Hospital 4th floor. Unit 2 nurses who were so caring and comforting during mom's final moments. A celebration of Teresa's life will be held Thursday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Church, 250 Burrin Ave. THANK YOU NANNY