Obituary of Violet C.M. MacDonald

MacDONALD, Violet - On Friday, February 17, 2012, Violet MacDonald (nee Shand) at the grand age of 98. "Until the day break and the shadows flee away"  Sol.2:17.  Gently taken from Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia, and called home to be with her Saviour, whom she loved.  Born in Fort William, Ont., on Jan. 25, 1914.  Violet Constance Mary Shand was the eldest daughter of Mr. Wm. C. D. Shand (1958) and Mrs. Wm. (Violet) Shand (1979).   In 1918, Violet and her family arrived in Sarnia on board the passenger steamer “Noronic”, where they have resided ever since.  Violet was for many years, a faithful and valued member of the Sarnia Free Methodist Church.  Serving in many capacities, she also assisted at the Free Methodist Church summer camp at Thamesford, Ont.  A skilled seamstress, Violet made beautiful draperies for homes and commercial buildings.  Later, she chose to end her sewing career, in favour of employment at the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club in the dining room.  She loved her work because of the people she met, and always strove for the highest standards.  Violet will be fondly remembered, by all who had the pleasure of meeting her.  To her three children, she was a wonderful mother and their guiding light.  Predeceased by sisters Grace Shand (1925) and Kathleen McIntyre (2004), by brothers Leonard Shand (1986), Joe Shand (1988) and Bill Shand (2005) and sister-in-law Violet Shand (2011).  Survived by her sister Florence Kenolty and her husband Bill Kenolty of Sarnia, Ont., and brother George Shand (late Donna, 2008) of Wallaceburg, Ont.  Predeceased by her first husband, Hugo Hysert Borchardt (1944) and their two children, Marilyn Dianne Borchardt-Chapman 1937 - 2003 and Hugo Sergei Borchardt 1943 - 2003.  Predeceased by daughter in-law Kathy Borchardt (2003) of Wesley Chapel, Florida.  Predeceased by her second husband, Frank John MacDonald (1970), brothers-in-law Archie McIntyre (1980) and Dean Hansen (2011), sisters-in-law Betty Shand (1988) and Lottie Shand (1989), nephew Scott Hansen (1997) and nieces Penny McIntyre (1999) and Sandy McIntyre (2011). Violet will be held dear forever, in the heart of her third and last child, John MacDonald and daughter in-law Margaret Pennesi of Sarnia, Ont., step daughters Gina Pennesi of London, Ont., and Karen Pennesi of Tucson, Arizona.  Also daughter in-law Linda MacDonald and Bob Colluney of Togo, Sask., daughter in-law Faith Archer of Sarnia, Ont. Dear memories of “Grandma” will also remain with all of Violet’s grandchildren; Bonnie Brown and her husband Chris Shaw of Port Burwell, Ont., David Brown and his wife Lori of London, Ont., Elizabeth Brown and her husband Larry Tryon of London, Ont., John Laroque of London, Ont., Steven Borchardt of Surrey B.C., Dan Borchardt and his wife Daisy of Surrey, B.C., and Colleen MacDonald and her husband Dan McCutcheon of London, Ont.  Also survived by 3 great-grandchildren, Corry Melmer (and his wife Karen) of London, Ont., and Paige and Joleanne Tryon also of London, Ont.  Of special note, 2 great-great grandchildren, "Kes and Kaitlynn Melmer" of London, Ont.  Violet is also survived by her many nieces and nephews, whom she held in high regard.  Friends will be received at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 431 N. Christina St. on Tuesday, February 21 from 11:30-12:45 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the McKenzie & Blundy Chapel immediately following at 1 p.m.  Sympathy may be expressed through donations to Vision Nursing Home, 229 Wellington St., Sarnia, N7T 1G9 where Violet received wonderful care and compassion.  She also received caring assistance from her friend Shirley Smith, of Sarnia, Ont.  Over the years, Violet strongly supported the Gideon Bible Society and would have been pleased and grateful, for any donation made to them in her memory.  Messages of condolence and memories may also be left at: www.mckenzieblundy.com   A tree will be planted in memory of Violet MacDonald in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area