Obituary of Eileen Mary McDonald

Eileen McDonald

August 23, 1944 - August 4, 2024

   It is with great sadness that the family of Eileen Mary McDonald (nee Murrin) 79 years old, of Pasadena, NL announce her sudden passing on August 4, 2024. The plans to celebrate her 80th Birthday on August 23, 2024, were well underway and now she will celebrate with the Angles. Our loss will now be Heaven's gain.

Eileen will be forever missed by her large family. She leaves behind her husband of 58 years, Maurice McDonald, her children, Shawn, Sandy Howlett (Mickey), Rene, (Kimberly), Lisa Wimmer (Roland) and Colin (Melissa.). She also leaves to mourn 14 grandchildren; Beverley, Megan, Gillian, Anastasia, Hayley, Jenetta, Jasmine, Desiree, Michaela, Danyka, Kai, Sophie, Caleb, and Kylie,10 great-grandchildren Connor, Abby, Morgan, Kaylee, Norah, Sadie, Deacon, Ennis, Lucy, and Luke.

She was a sister-in-law and friend for 58 years to the McDonald's: Ray, Evangeline Drudge, Sheila Strangemore, Gertrude (Pat) Troy, Mary (Harry) Urslitch, Brendan ( Kim), Ellen (Tony) Sexton, Desmond (Martha), Kevin (Ann), and Donald (Kristan) McDonald. She was the rock many of us leaned on during times of emotional turmoil and stress over the years and often she was the voice of calm and reason.

She was a sister to Don (Imelda) Fitzpatrick and Evelyn (Frank) Carroll, who was her cousin but whom she considered her sister. She connected later in life with her biological family, Gertie (Powell), Mildred Patey, Audrey (Frank) Skaling, Ruby (Michel) Couillard, Max (Yvonne), Edward (Vivian) and Shawn (Lorraine) Parsons.

Eileen will be greatly missed by a large number of Nieces, Nephews, extended family and many friends whom she loved to see visit and spend time

Eileen was born and raised in Goose Cove and lived there with her parents Pauline and Joe Murrin. As a young woman, she worked for a short time with the Grenfell Hospital in St. Anthony until she met and married the love of her life, Maurice, from McDonald's branch across the cove. Eileen and Maurice got married on July 2, 1966 and had 5 children together, Shawn, Sandy, Rene, Lisa and Colin. They were all the pride of her life. Eileen was a stay-at-home Mom and was the epitome of what a stay-at-home Mom meant; She cooked, baked, knitted, sewed, entertained and did all things in between for Maurice and her children. She did it all with style, grace and a constant smile on her face. It was rare to go to their home and see her with a frown on her face. She was really the “heart of the home”. We would often say to her that we didn't know what would happen when she chose to give it all up, especially with Maurice as he was not known for his culinary skills. There are a great number of people who had the wonderful opportunity to have a meal at the McDonald house that Eileen had cooked. They left feeling very satisfied with good food, good company and often the evening ended with music and singing as Eileen was known to enjoy and do both.

In 1986, Maurice and Eileen along with their 5 kids and her Father, Joe, moved to Corner Brook.  Their home in Corner Brook was a constant hive of activity with out-of-town visitors and all that went with that. The kids are fond of saying that they were never sure of where they would be sleeping at night because an Aunt or Uncle was in town and they would be in their bed. Everyone was welcomed and cared for by Eileen.

Eileen and Maurice loved to travel and travelled the world together. They have had the wonderful good fortune to have been to five of seven continents of the world, a big chunk of the US and the most of Canada. Her life was blessed with many things but the most important to her were her family; Maurice, her Children, Grandchildren and her Great-grandchildren in that order.

Eileen was predeceased by her adopted parents Pauline and Joseph Murrin, her Parents-in-law William and Anastasia McDonald and her biological mother, Beulah Parsons and Spouse Robert Parsons. Also sister-in-law Elizabeth (Betty) McDonald, Brothers-in-law John Drudge, Graham Strangemore, and Roy Patey.

Funeral services will be held for Eileen at Most Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Corner Brook on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM with Bishop Bart van Roijen officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery. Visitations will be held at Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 4 St. Marks Avenue, on Thursday, August 8, from the hours of 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul or a charity of one's choice.

The family wish to extend their gratitude to family and friends for their love, support and generosity at this time.

The funeral service may also be viewed through the following link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=f4bb41ee-ca8e-4531-8bcb-467e7a31c333