IAN MCDONALD

IAN MCDONALD obituary

IAN MCDONALD

IAN MCDONALD Obituary

Published by Saskatoon StarPhoenix from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30, 2013.
IAN MCDONALD
Former dean and professor in the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine, died at home on November 25, following a long struggle with poor health. Predeceased by his parents, George and Alexandrina (Daisy) McDonald and his elder sister Marian, Ian is survived by his wife of sixty years, Margaret Anne (née McGavin), children David MacLaren (Lois), George Bruce (Bernadette), Catherine Anne, Susan Jane, Shelagh Elizabeth (Sandy Ribeiro), and his sister, Katherine Elizabeth. His survivors also include three beloved grandsons, Michael Ian John McDonald, Stephen James McDonald, and Henry (Harry) McDonald Ribeiro, as well as his nieces, Jan MacDermid, Sheila Wolfe, nephew John MacDermid, and grand-nieces and nephews.
Born at home in Regina, on May 20 (his father's birthday), 1928, Ian suffered from asthma, a condition that led many to conclude that he would not survive into adulthood. Through a childhood limited by illness, he developed a love of reading and learning along with a quiet but trenchant sense of humour that remained with him through his life. When his health allowed, he became a skilled tennis player, a sport that, along with curling and golf, he enjoyed into his later years.
A graduate of Regina's Central Collegiate, he completed an AA degree at the then Regina campus of the University of Saskatchewan, moving to the University of Manitoba for medical school – a necessity for Saskatchewan students at the time before the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. While completing his degree, Ian met, briefly courted, and became engaged to a young nurse, Anne McGavin, with whom he talked, fought, laughed, and danced through sixty years of marriage .
Following internship and residency in Vancouver, Regina, and Saskatoon, the couple and their two small boys moved to Denver, Colorado, where he held the position of Chief Resident and a third child – a daughter –joined the family. In 1958, Ian accepted the invitation of Dr. G. "Griff" McKerracher to join the newly created Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. In time, he would succeed McKerracher as Department Head and eventually served two terms as Dean of the College, before retiring into a psychiatric consultancy with RUH and the Saskatoon Health Region. He continued the work that he loved until just before his eighty-first birthday. His commitment to the College of Medicine reflected his love for and abiding attachment to the people and province of Saskatchewan. Although offered opportunities elsewhere, he remained fiercely loyal to his home province.
McDonald leaves a rich legacy reflecting his lifelong dedication to improving the lot of the mentally ill in Canada. He worked with his mentor McKerracher on the internationally recognized "Saskatchewan Plan," which sought to deinstitutionalize psychiatric patients from large hospitals to local clinical communities as a more effective mode of treatment. A respected expert in forensic psychiatry, he offered testimony in the trial of E.G. Klippert, which helped lead to the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada and helped Peter McKinnon establish the ongoing program "Psychiatry and the Law" in the College of Law. A member of numerous provincial and federal commissions on mental health issues, he chaired the committee that produced the landmark "Report on the Forgotten Constituents" for Saskatchewan's Mental Health Association. Long after the report's appearance someone told him that he could learn a lot about mental health care in Canada by reading the "McDonald Report": with characteristic restraint, he let this advice pass unremarked. His contributions to his community and discipline earned him recognition from the Canadian Mental Health Association, and he received the one-time 50th Anniversary Golden Award from the Canadian Psychiatric Association, which noted his "lifelong dedication to biopsychosocial psychiatric care, rural community services, and his leadership in reforming mental health systems in Saskatchewan."
When not working, Ian was known for his love of good jazz, sports, reading, food, and travel-including the family's memorable sabbatical year in Scotland. He took special pleasure in the company of family and friends. He and Anne entertained their friends at frequent gatherings through the decades, first on Weir Crescent and then for forty years on University Drive. Their annual Boxing Day parties featured a potent blend of seasonal punch with the stylings of Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald . Himself the son of a prominent Regina educator, Ian shared with Anne a deep respect for learning of all kinds, in which he encouraged his children .
Ian died shortly after his sixtieth wedding anniversary, and would have been delighted by the Grey Cup victory of his team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders . As a young husband and father, Ian was a devotee of the Riders, listening to game broadcasts in Vancouver while burping his first son and muttering, "That'll show those Eastern sons of bitches ."
The family would like to express their profound gratitude for the kind support given Ian and Anne through their illnesses, most notably Dr. Susan Hayton, who showed sensitivity and commitment to Ian's wishes surrounding his death; Dr. Tom Wilson, who provided years of care for Ian's often complicated health; as well as Fe Enriquez, Kara Ratke, and Andrew Macdonald, who have become members of the family. They also thank Ian's many friends and colleagues whose friendship and companionship endured through years of health and decline. The support of CPAS and DCF – thanks especially to Julie Cortens – enabled the family to honour Ian's wish to die at home, as did the kind care given by the men and women who came into Ian and Anne's home in recent years .
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Canadian Mental Health Association or the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, would be greatly appreciated. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Westminster United Church (505 10th Street East) with a reception to follow at the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club (101 Administration Pl. Ph 306-966-7774) Condolences may be sent to [email protected]. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME (306-244-5577).

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December 18, 2013

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December 2, 2013

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15 Entries

Jan MacDermid

December 18, 2013

We'll miss our Uncle Ian. His wonderful understated humour and engaging demeanour made him a favorite visitor at our home. He'll be missed.

December 2, 2013

Bruce and family,
Thinking of you and your family at this time. May the many special memories you have bring you comfort and ease your loss.
Brent &Sharon Hutchison

December 1, 2013

Our sincere sympathies to the McDonald family.

Julie (McCartan) and Doug Jones

December 1, 2013

Bruce and Family, Our Sincerest Sympathy to you and your family at a very sad time. It is truly hard to watch our aging parents struggle day after day. Hope you find comfort in knowing your Dad's struggle is over.
Sincerely Pete & Deb Mysko

Mary Ann Waldmann

November 30, 2013

As one of Anne's oldest friends from West Winnipeg, I would to express my deepest sympathy to Anne and of the their chIldren. I first met Ian in1952 when he was first dating her. I admired him tremendously and know that he was a wonderful husband to my dear friend Anne. Each time I saw Ian and Anne, I loved talking to him and very much enjoyed his dry sense of humour. My thoughts are with you.

Beverly Rutherford

November 30, 2013

Dear Family of Dr. McDonald,

I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. McDonald. He was a man I deeply respected and cared for.

I had the privilege to work as his secretary in the Department of Psychiatry in the 70's.

I always enjoyed a great conversation and lots of laughs with him in the halls of RUH whenever our paths crossed over the past years.

I am sorry that I cannot attend his funeral today but my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

I am honored to have known him.

George Strelioff

November 30, 2013

As a classmate of Bruce from Gr 5-8, with regular invites to their family home, I recall a warmth and friendliness with Dr Ian and his family. Another recollection was Super Bowl III -with KC and the Vikings--and Dr McDonald showing an avid interest
--He would have loved to witness the latest 'Riders Grey Cup win.
---I extend my sympathies to his family upon his passing.

Karen Grove

November 29, 2013

Hello, Shelagh. I still read the Star Phoenix obituaries every day, and came upon your dad's yesterday. I know his health had been a worry for you for the past few years. It is good he had the kind of death you wanted. Take care of yourself, Sandy, and Harry, I write this from Davao City in the Philippines, where I am visiting my son.

Joann McIlwrick

November 29, 2013

Dr. McDonald's influence on my work as a psychiatrist continues on an almost daily basis, ten years after I last saw him. I often quote him when I speak with patients, students and administrators. I continue to share with students the articles that he gave me, complete with notes written in his distinctive script. His work will continue to live on, not only through the work of his students, but through their students, and so on. The extent of the impact that he had on the administration, teaching and practice of medicine is significant and immeasurable.

Debra Brose

November 29, 2013

Susan and family, thinking of you and wishing you love and strength at this time.

Saba Qayyum

November 28, 2013

I am saddened to hear of Dr. McDonald's passing but feel very fortunate to have been one of the many students to have worked with Dr. McDonald. The depth and breadth of his contribution to our field became even more apparent to me when I began working on my own. He was truly a visionary. Of all the teaching we received as residents, a few moments stand out. One of those poignant moments was of Dr. McDonald enlightening us, "...your words are like a surgeon's scalpel, use them with skill, precision, and great care."
My deepest sympathy to Dr. McDonald's family, we share in your grief.

Saba Qayyum

Keith Hamiton

November 28, 2013

Bruce, Dave, Shelagh, and family. So sorry to hear of your loss of such a wonderful man and a leader in our medical community. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Take care!

John Yul Talay

November 27, 2013

My family and I offers our deepest sympathy to Dr. McDonald's family and sends you prayers of love and peace.

Nicole & Brian Hauge

November 27, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Pat and Harvey Senecal

November 27, 2013

Sending our condolences to Dr McDonalds family. I worked many years on psychiatry and Dr McDonald was one of my trusted friends. We shared lots of conversations and many laughs. He was a wonderful supportive man and will be fondly remembered. RIP Dr McDonald. Always remembering you with great respect

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December 18, 2013

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