McDONALD, Joan Frances (GALLIE) - February 23, 1943 – December 22, 2021
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Frances (Gallie) McDonald on the 22nd of December 2021.
She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her adoring family.
Predeceased by her parents Alan Edward Gallie and Mary Frances Mitchell, and sister Elizabeth Ann Gallie.
She is survived by her longtime partner Gary Rogers Gillies, sons David Charles Gallie McDonald and Christopher Edward Gallie McDonald, sister Brenda Louise Gallie, niece Frances Louise Nahanni Jewett, nephew Gordon Alan Edward Jewett and brothers-in-law Michael Jewett and Dougal McCreath.
Joan grew up in the far north of Manitoba and had working careers in Toronto as both an executive secretary and IT specialist.
But archery was her life's calling. As an athlete and then as a longtime coach, she dedicated her entire life, focus and every waking hour to the sport.
As an athlete, she won countless Canadian Championships, competed at several World Championships, and won an individual bronze medal at the Pan-Am Games in 1979.
But it was as a coach where she found her greatest fulfillment. For over 40 years, she groomed generations of Canadian Olympic archers, attending 6 Olympic Games as national coach (1996 – 2016), and worked tirelessly coaching youth and archers of all skills for their betterment and improvement.
Her persistent organizational efforts over decades helped establish vastly improved archery high performance and youth development systems which will benefit archery and youth in Canada for years to come.
She was able to live her dreams through all the athletes that she coached, and her legacy now lives on in them. She is remembered as a wonderful mother, partner, sister, aunt, and as coach and mentor to so many.
In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to Archery Canada in her memory: https://archerycanada.ca/about-us/donate/ As soon as it is safe to do so, the family will have a set of visitations.
A celebration of life party will be held during the Summer. Details for both events will be communicated as soon as available.
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