Georgia Regis McDonald

We said goodbye to our dear Granny — Georgia Regis McDonald (née Ross) — on December 30th at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland, Ontario at the age of 95.

Born February 4, 1927, in Florence, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to Anne Carrie and Ben Ross, she was predeceased by her son, Gerry, and leaves behind Paul (Lori), Michael (Barbara), Charles, Joey (Jane), Linda (Hans) and stepson Don (Denise), along with 10 grandchildren – John (Ebru), Jamie, Tara (Charles), Evan, Joshua, Matthew (Aly), Tyler (Beth), Scott (Jess), David and Adam – and two great grandchildren – Ella and Ehret.

Granny moved to King City, Ontario from Cape Breton in the 50s, bringing all her east coast sensibilities with her, and instilling them in her family, with music at the core. She supported music her whole life, and cheered on all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by allowing basement band practices and hosting regular family sing-alongs, complete with living room jigs.

Granny, as we all lovingly called her, was the epitome of an amazing female role model, raising her family and paying off her mortgage as a single mom. She moved to the Georgian Bay area in the 90s, where she earned a local reputation as a frugal coupon-clipper that no retail staff messed with! There was nothing she couldn't do.

For 25 years, she lived next to her son Paul, which made visits to "the compound" by her kids and grandkids easy. She loved being with family, and cooking for everyone gave her great joy. She could corral dinner for 10 or 20 without notice, and you rarely left her house without first being served breakfast in bed, asked whether you needed any ironing done (while she happened to be pressing pillowcases anyway!), or making sure you had takeout drinks and snacks for the drive home!

Granny also loved gardening, mowed her own lawn, shovelled her own driveway, and stacked cords of wood for winter heating well into her 90s – not because she had to, but because she loved doing it, and it kept her active. She also drove herself until just a few months ago, making the daily pilgrimage to Bingham's Variety Store in Balm Beach for the Toronto Sun and some 6/49 tickets. Though she never won the lottery, we all knew that we had.

She embodied — almost redefined —generosity, caring, and selflessness. She was a mother to so many, our grand matriarch, and the glue that held our family tight. She was a role model for us all — she chose to be happy, kind, and generous, till the end. She was our silent, courageous hero — a good person, acting ethically, every day. We will all miss her determined, steely, heart of gold, but are filled with nothing but joy and gratitude for every moment we shared with her. No doubt she is somewhere still enjoying a cup of tea with the hockey game or Jeopardy still on in the background.

A special thank you to the staff at Georgian Bay General Hospital, who made her final days comfortable and dignified, and to Sherry Moreau and Shaelyn Dorion of the LeClair Cremation Centre.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the late Spring (details to follow).

Rest in peace, dear Granny.