MARY ELLEDA MACDONALD

January 25, 2019

Mary Elleda Macdonald of Christie Gardens, Cedarvale Park Neighbourhood, Toronto, died Jan. 25, 2019, in Toronto. She was 99. Born in Huron Township, May 17, 1919, she was the daughter of Adam and Margaret Ann (Cameron) MacDonald. She is survived by seven nieces and nephews: Robert (Lillian Johnson) Cottrill, Kincardine; Margaret (Jon Wolfson) Cottrill, East Lansing, Michigan; Val (Jane Hietveld) Cottrill, Waterloo; John (Susan Sutaroska) MacLennan, Scarborough; Murray (Rosemary Kelleher-MacLennan)) MacLennan, Campbellford; Joan (Don Hunter) MacLennan, Etobicoke, and Jane (Andrew Davies) Cottrill, Toronto; as well as 12 great-nieces and -nephews; and several great, great-nieces and -nephews. Predeceased by her parents; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marjorie (Jim Cottrill) of Kincardine and Lyla (Grant MacLennan) of Listowel, and niece, Mary-Anne MacLennan. Mary graduated from Normal School in Stratford in 1937, and taught in several one-room schools as well as in the Town of Kincardine prior to taking a teaching job in the Borough of York in 1946. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963 and a Master's Degree in education in 1969 from the University of Toronto. She was vice-principal at Charles E. Webster School from 1961 until moving to the F.H. Miller School as principal in 1966. In 1972, she moved to the D.B. Hood School and remained there until her retirement in 1978. Her colleagues recognized her leadership abilities, and noted that her talent for music and love of reading contributed to the development of many exceptional school programs. Following retirement, Mary was very active in the International Reading Association and was its Ontario co-ordinator. Contribution to community was important to her. She was actively involved in the United Church of Canada and served as an elder of the Bloor Street United Church in Toronto. Mary travelled extensively in North and South America, Europe and Scandinavia. A scholarship, administered by the University Women’s Club, where Mary was an active member, has been established to ensure that her memory will live on in another young woman’s life. The funeral will be held at the MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Home, Ripley, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, with visitation at 1:30 p.m., and the service at 2:30 p.m. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society, Christie Gardens, Bloor Street United Church, or the charity of your choice, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Christie Gardens for the wonderful care Mary received over the past number of years.