DONALDA MARION MCRAE

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DONALDA MARION MCRAE

November 26, 1934 - September 24, 2025

On September 24, 2025, at the age of 90, Mom passed peacefully with family by her side at the Stonewall Hospital.

Donalda was predeceased by her husband Ross McRae; her parents Donald and Grace MacMillan, her brother Hughie, her mother and father in-law Bill and Mina McRae; her sisters-in-law: Mildred (John), Jeannine (Lee), and Yvonne; her brothers-in-law: Ken (Betty), Johnnie (Marie), and Wilfred.

Mom is survived by her four children: Debbie, Murray (Charlene), Bonny (Wayne), and Terry (Susan); grandchildren: Ashley (Kris), Whitney (Justin), Meagan (Kyle), Brandi (Tyler), and Sara (Justin); great-grandchildren: Eden, Graylynn, Reagan, Clark, Stetson, Chet, Brynlee, Harper, and Lily; extended great-grandchildren: Kallie, Baylee, Max, Dekkar, Navy, and Parker; brothers-in-law: Andy, and Archie (Edna); sister-in-law Bernice, and numerous niece and nephews and many other relatives.

Mom was born on November 26, 1934, at Meadow Lea, Manitoba. She was raised on the family homestead that is still being farmed by her daughter. Mom and her brother Hughie, walked two miles to school every day. Sometimes they were able to get a ride on the horse and buggy or the stoneboat that would pick some of the children up. Mom lived in a time when hard work was how you survived. She was able to play hockey and baseball for the Meadow Lea teams. She finished school and then went to work in Winnipeg for a few years. She met our Dad Ross McRae and were married February 5, 1955. They were married for almost 64 years. They raised four children on their hobby farm in Marquette. Dad became ill and moved to a nursing home. Mom continued to live at home until her passing.

Mom raised us most of the time by herself because Dad had to go on the road to work. Eventually Dad took a job that would allow him to be home at night. Those were some great days, mom could relax a bit. Our mom was a caregiver most of her married life. She took care of her father with Parkinson’s for years. Gram and Gramps moved into a trailer on our yard site, that made it easier for mom. Then she became a caregiver again to her husband. She was known to help her neighbours at anytime.

Moms greatest joy in life were her grandchildren. She loved them all very much. She was so proud of each of them. They seemed to give her life meaning. Then came the great-grandchildren and that brought another kind of Love.

Mom had many friends young and old. Anyone that ever met my mom would surely never forget her. You will be sadly missed Mom, but you are at peace and free.

Thank you to Stonewall Hospital Staff and Doctors for all the Love and Support throughout this journey. We are grateful to each and everyone of you.

Funeral Services will be held at Meadow Lea Hall on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Meadow Lea United Church, care of Tammy Matthews, Box 52, RR1, Marquette, Manitoba R0H 0V0.

MacKenzie Funeral Home

204-467-2525

mackenziefh.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 04, 2025