Our beloved mother has passed away at the age of 86. She was born in Chatham ON in 1937 to Dave and Evelyn McDonald. She grew up in London ON, graduated from Western University in Secretarial Science, and had a full career as office manager/bookkeeper in various companies. When we were in high school, she supported the family while our father started a business. She became a key success factor in the family business over the next 30 years.
She met her husband/our father Keith McKessock (d. 2016) at Standard Oil in Sarnia. Our mother took 10 years out of her career to stay home and raise her two children: Linda (Ross) and George (Bev). She made most of our clothes and Halloween costumes when we were little, and volunteered at many of our extracurricular activities starting with nursery school. She was a cub leader, brownie leader, and costume sewer for many figure skating carnivals, among other generous pursuits. She was proud of her 5 grandchildren – Devin (Victoria), Kelsey, Ian, David, and Erin – and maintained close connections with them via email as they spread out across the country. For those close by, she made fabulous birthday cakes, easter bunny cakes, and gingerbread houses.
Mom loved quilting, crocheting and knitting, and we have many beautiful quilts and blankets to remember her by. She was difficult to beat at scrabble, rummy or cribbage. She did puzzles every day and had a lifelong love-hate relationship with her favourite team, the Toronto Blue Jays. Mom is the reason we have a cottage. It was her most favourite place and she has certainly passed along this love to the next generations.
As per her wishes, there will not be a public service/memorial. She was cremated and our family gathered to send her off on her next adventure. We give high praise to the caregivers that touched her life over her last few months. Right At Home Canada provided her with outstanding PSWs. A special thank you to Emily and Christine for your extraordinary empathy and care. Guelph General Hospital staff also provided exceptional care during her several visits. If you are looking for donation ideas, mom would be pleased for you to support a healthcare provider or food bank in your community; two of her favourite causes.
Words cannot express the void her passing has left in our lives.
Arrangements entrusted to Brombal Funeral Home & Cremation Care, One Delhi Street, Guelph (formerly Gilchrist Chapel). We invite you to leave your memories and donations online at: www.brombal.ca where they will be directed to the family.