VERNA JOYCE MACDONALD (née Fishley)

It is with immense sadness, yet comfort, that we announce that our Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and friend Verna, has passed away to a much more peaceful and comfortable place on Friday, February 3rd, 2017 at the age of 83 years.  Verna was born on November 5th, 1933 on the family farm near Bethune, SK.  She was the youngest of 5 children born to Edith and Albert Fishley.  Verna spent her youngest years on the farm as the much younger baby of the family, pampered by her older brothers and sister, and occasionally being a pain in their butts, but adored all the same.  Growing up during the depression years, she was extremely frugal during the hard times which continued throughout her life, where she would drive miles to save 3 cents on a quart of milk – something we could never understand but made her unique and sweetly innocent in her own way.  Verna was schooled in one of the last one room country school houses before moving to Moose Jaw to complete her schooling.  She married John MacDonald (deceased 2003) and had 2 children.  Eventually she raised her kids on her own, worked very hard, and became an independent, proud woman.  Until her health deteriorated, Verna loved her garden and flowers, spending countless hours in her yard and sharing her fruits and vegetables with family, friends and neighbors.  She enjoyed dancing, going out for ice-cream, her volunteer work at the hospital, travelling, and on her creative side, she painted, knit and tried her hand at many forms of needlework.  Most of all, she loved spending time sitting in her backyard with a cup of coffee and a cigarette, relaxing.  She was predeceased by her parents; brothers: Clarence, Chester and Earl; brother-in-law, Jim; sister-in-law, Audrey; and her very special friend, Bob Zimmer.  Verna will be forever remembered by her loving daughter Bobbie (Dan), grandchildren Shawna and Michael, and great-grandson Chace, all of Ottawa; her caring and dedicated son Wes (Leslie), and grandchildren Andrea and Kurtis of Moose Jaw.  Verna also leaves behind her sincerely loved and highly treasured sister, Muriel Staples; sister-in-law, Beatrice Fishley; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Finally breathing easy and sleeping peacefully, Mom will be with God and the rest of her family.  Sweet dreams Mom, we love you and will miss you forever.  At Verna’s request, a Memorial Tea will be held on Thursday, February 9th, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Harvey Room at Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  A private family interment will take place at Sunset Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Verna may be made to The Moose Jaw Humane Society, Box 1658 Station Main, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7K7 or STARS Air Ambulance, 2640 Airport Road, Regina, SK S4W 1A3.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  James Murdock, Funeral Director 306-693-4550