Obituary

Known as Jean McDonald, born October 29, 1922 in Marden Ontario, passed away at Parkwood Mennonite Home in Waterloo on July 18, 2021, in her 99th year. Jean was the daughter of the late Walter and Sadie (Goy) McDonald. She is pre-deceased by her brother Walter Gordon and his wife Jean, brother Calvin and sister, Evelyn Hayes and her husband Cecil. Jean is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. She will be fondly remembered by her dear friends Laura Ostner and Donna Hayes. Jean began her long career with the Ontario Veterinary College in 1943. First as a secretary, then as an assistant to several principals and deans. Jean worked with Dr. Trevor Lloyd Jones, who was instrumental in gaining university status for the college. During her forty plus year affiliation with OVC, Jean was proud of her contribution to OVC’s growth from a college to a teaching and research facility and then an international resource centre. She completed two university degrees through summer and winter extension courses, receiving her BA in 1959 from the University of Western Ontario and her Master’s in Public Administration and History in 1964 from the University of Michigan, East Lansing. With Deans, Trevor Lloyd Jones, Dennis Howell and others, Jean made several trips to Botswana, China, Malaysia and Indonesia. She became interested in international development. In 1986, she joined Guelph International Consultants; an organization created to market the University of Guelph’s expertise internationally. In 1988, she returned to OVC part-time, administering projects in Costa Rica and Colombia, establishing veterinary education. Sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency, the programme focused on graduate training and faculty exchanges. Jean was especially proud of her involvement in the establishment of the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in the late 1980’s. In her spare time, Jean loved to read and work in the various gardens at her Waterloo home. Jean also travelled extensively in Britain and Scotland. She had a keen interest in history including that of her ancestors in Scotland. Sadly, during her last years, Jean suffered from dementia. Special thanks to Karen Martin and staff at Hillside Residence in Maryhill and the staff at Bauman Homestead, Parkwood Mennonite Home in Waterloo for their care and compassion. Interment of cremated remains will take place on Thursday, July 22 at 10:00am at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Please contact the funeral home if you plan on attending as they must collect contact tracing information. We will be following social distancing protocols due to COVID-19. We ask that you do not attend if feeling unwell or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 and further ask that you wear a mask. Arrangements entrusted to Gilchrist Chapel – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph (519-824-0031). If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Guelph Humane Society, 190 Hanlon Creek Blvd. Guelph N1C 0A1 (519-824-3091). We invite you to leave your memories online at: www.gilchristchapel.com and they will be forwarded to the family.