Obituary of Elizabeth McDonald

It is with broken hearts, we sadly announce the passing of Elizabeth McDonald.  She left this world from her home at Grande Cache Lake on May 7th, 2018. 

Elizabeth was born in Hinton, Alberta on January 22th, 1969.  Her father was of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation with Cree and Iroquois ancestry.  Her mother is of the Nakcowinewak Nation with Saulteaux ancestry. 

She was named after a paternal aunt who had died in childhood. 

She went to school in Grande Cache.  She often helped as an interpreter for the Cree and Saulteaux languages. 

She had fibromyalgia which forced her to leave a job she loved working with horses with UBar Ranch.  She loved all types of music and was the driver in their travels.  She collected rocks.  She did a lot of work with Aseniwuche Winewak’s Traditional Land interviews.  In the work that her husband Garry completed, she was equally competent and was a support in all he did; whether it was computer work or mapping.  She was strong and together they worked on tanning hides.  She had cervical spine surgery in December of 2017.  She was proud that her sons often do environmental work and of the art made by her daughters.  Her newest grandchild born a few weeks ago was already attached to her and loved to be with her.

She was a beautiful woman who was reluctant oftentimes to have her photo taken.   She bore some scars from growing up in an alcoholic home and these traumas contributed to her debilitating illness. 

She leaves to mourn her passing:  her husband Garry; her mother Irene; Brothers Lawrence, Ross, Emil and Joseph; Sisters Alice, Theresa and Audrey; her children Jolene, Angel, Amber, Keven, Leissa, Cheryl and Brent; grandchildren Pearl, Destinee, Daniel, Mikeala, Isabelle, Noah, Ethan, Carson, Callie, Isis, Douglas, and Dante; and many other relatives.

She was pre-deceased by her father Archie, her son Ken, sister Nancy and brother Paul.

There will be a wake at the Eagles Nest Hall on May 9th, 2018 beginning at 7 pm; the funeral will be at the Holy Cross Catholic Church on May 10th, 2018 at 1 pm. 

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com