MCDONALD, Mary ‘Pookie’ Elizabeth Vivienne - On October 7, 2018 Mary passed away after a long struggle with Huntington’s disease.
Born on January 11, 1952 and raised in Oakville Ontario, she was a gentle soul who touched many with her warmth, generous spirit, and wry sense of humour.
She leaves behind her brothers, John (Joanne), and Richard (Leslie) as well as her long-time childhood friend Patricia McDougall.
She is pre-deceased by her mother Dorothy Ida Vivienne McDonald (nee Denison) and her father Ross Faskin McDonald.
Pook was a free spirit who loved life, had a great sense of fun and, supported by her numerous stuffed animal friends, offered a world of innocence and love that had a rich and positive impact on everyone she met.
She was also a talented artist. In the 1970’s Pook’s artistic talent took her to England where, during a number of trips, and as a member of an archaeological team, she was responsible for sketching exact representations of artifacts found at the various digs in the Midlands area of the country. She performed the same role at sites in Ontario when she was with the Ministry of Natural Resources and saw the results of her efforts reflected in a number of publications. Along the way she established her own company called Heritage Graphics which she managed for several years.
She was a long-term member of the Green Fiddle Morris, enjoyed the dancing, the people, and spoke with great feeling about how those she knew in Morris were like family. Even in more recent years, when she could no longer dance, she could still be found at the May Day celebration and the annual Ale.
Throughout her struggle with Huntington’s disease Elizabeth was blessed with incredible support from a host of health professionals from organizations such as the Huntington program at North York Hospital, the Huntington Society of Canada, PACE Independent Living, the Community Care Access Centre, and the wonderful staff at Vermont Square Long-Term Care Home. A special warm thanks to her dear personal support companions Delva and Nancy both of whom were so important in keeping her spirits raised and her mind active during the last years of her life.
Visitation will be on October 25, 7:00-9:00 at the Morley Bedford Funeral Home, Toronto. Funeral services will be held on October 26 at 2:00 at Saint Stephen-in-the-field Church, 103 Bellevue Avenue, Toronto. Internment will be at North York.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Huntington Society of Canada.
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