It is with saddened hearts the family of Edith Winifred MacDonald – Malinski of Melfort, Saskatchewan announce her passing on January 22, 2020 at the age of 86.

Her farewell was sudden and peaceful at her own home.

Winnie was born December 16, 1933 at the   family farm east of Pleasantdale, Saskatchewan, one of seven children born to Edith and Alfred Hill. She attended school in the Leviathan district.   Winnie took her first job in Melfort at the National Cafe, where she met Wellesley MacDonald. They went on to raise eight children, John, David, Fredrick, Douglas, Carolyn, Bryan, Joanne and Janet on the family farm in the Willowdale district. She sewed and knit most of the cloths for all her brood. Winnie drove the red panel van as school bus to the Willowdale country school for many years, until dad rolled it driving without lights on a bright moonlit night. I guess it wasn’t bright enough. She was a member of the Willowdale Willing Workers forever. We have fond memories of spring ice cream socials and fall suppers they put on at the country school.

As many did, she worked tirelessly gardening, cooking, canning and cleaning for the family and a bunkhouse of hired men.  Also our aunt Dr. Reid, whom ran her chiropractic practice at the farm, created a lot of traffic and extra duties. All without running water in those years. Tea was always served to the many visitors.

They moved to Melfort in 1978 so that she could be closer to her job at the Coach & 3. When the Coach burned down she went to work at the Pioneer Lodge in the kitchen then to Nirvana and finally the Union Hospital until her retirement in 1999.

She loved to go berry picking in the bush and always brought home buckets full of berries. Winnie never was idle, always sewing, quilting,  knitting, painting or crafting in some way. She loved to enter her paintings, drawings and quilts in the Melfort Exhibition where she won many ribbons. She was a dedicated volunteer with Donors Choice. In the last few years she very much enjoyed singing and entertaining with her brother Ken at many senior homes in the area.

She had an adventurous spirit and always an optimist at heart.

Winnie is survived by her children: Dave (Carey), Fred, Doug, Carolyn (Charles VandenBroek), Bryan (Jenny), Joanne and Janet. Twelve grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Sister Gladys (Pete) Schultz, brothers: Fred (Yvonne) Hill and Ken (Trish) Hill.

Winnie is predeceased by her parents Alfred and Edith Hill, sister Ethel, husband Wellesley, brothers: Stanley and Don; sisters-in-law: Marty and Hazel, eldest son John, daughter-in-law Diane MacDonald and Russell.

Her positive spirit will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11:00 AM, at the Melfort United Church, Melfort, SK.  Memorial donations may be made in Winnie’s name to a charity of ones choice.  Those wishing to leave online condolences for the family can visit the online guest book at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com.  Arrangements entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium Ltd, Melfort, SK  (306)752-3838.

 

 

 

• Date : 2020-01-22
• Location : Melfort, SK