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Laurie MacDonald

Image by Nick Andréka

LAURIE LYNN MACDONALD

(née MUSHMANSKI)

July 6, 1968 - April 14, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Laurie Lynn MacDonald who died on April 14, 2024 following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 55 years of age.


She was predeceased by her father John (1993), sister-in-law Shelagh (2012) and mother-in-law Moira (2023).


She leaves to mourn her husband Kevin; her children, Caleigh (Carlos) and David; mother Lorraine; sisters, Cheryl (Rob), Tracey (Chris), and Kim (Richard); father-in-law, Allan; brother and sister-in-law Maureen and Sean (Alicia); and many friends.


Laurie was born in Winnipeg to John and Lorraine Mushmanski in 1968, the eldest of four daughters. She spent much of her early years playing baseball with the neighbourhood kids, camping with her family, and hanging out with a group of friends with whom she would remain close her entire life. Following graduation from Maples Collegiate in 1986, she went on to have a long and successful career in several departments at Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Hydro International.


Always an active person, she joined the lawyers’ volleyball league, and in 1991 met Kevin, the man who would become her husband and best friend for more than 30 years. They were married in February 1993 and had two children, Caleigh and David, born in 1995 and 1997 respectively. For the rest of her life, her most important and most rewarding job was being their mother. It was a job she excelled at. 


Upon receiving her first cancer diagnosis in 2020, she chose to retire from Manitoba Hydro International in order to deal with the various treatments required to fight this disease. When her first treatments were complete, she and Kevin decided to spend as much time as possible travelling. They had extended visits to their “happy place” in Mesa, Arizona, and made various shorter trips to Las Vegas, Nashville, Minneapolis, Toronto, Madge Lake, Detroit Lakes, and most importantly to Brandon in 2023 for their daughter Caleigh’s wedding.


They also took two “bucket list” trips to Europe in 2022 and 2023 and spent parts of two winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

 

When the cancer returned in July 2023, she decided to spend her last few months making the most of the time she had left. She was thrilled to be able to attend Caleigh and Carlos’s wedding in Brandon in October 2023 prior to restarting cancer treatments She made one final trip to Puerta Vallarta in January 2024, knowing it would be her last excursion, and was able to make lifelong memories with Kevin, Caleigh and David.


Always the planner, Laurie spent her last months trying to organize her affairs to ensure her family was prepared for her impending passing. She always had a “to do” list in the house, which included instructions on coping without her.


She was brave in the face of death, and we are comforted, knowing she will be reunited with her father, and her beloved furry friend and cancer treatment companion, Tucker.


In her final days Laurie had time to contemplate the things she believed to be most important to her. She believed in “making memories” every chance you get and to “never miss a chance to tell your family and friends that you love them”.


Laurie had a wonderful life. She often mentioned during her final days that she will be leaving this world with no regrets.


She wished to acknowledge a few of her many special friends that made her life so rich, and who brought her joy over the years. In particular, she wished to acknowledge the Maples Girls (and Rick G); her Mesa Girls; her Canasta Buddies; her dear friend Angie Gottfred, whom she described as the “Sister she Chose”; Marie Poole (her ‘Teal Sister’); and Mandy Onchulenko.  


She had so many other friends from both inside and outside of her work place, wonderful neighbours, beloved family members, and cherished acquaintances, who all impacted her life in a deep and meaningful way. 


She was grateful for her mother and her sisters for always being there when she needed them, and providing her with unlimited love and support during her cancer journey. She loved you all very much. 


Laurie always liked to have the last word, so in keeping with this, she left this final message for all that loved her so much:


“You can always wish that you had more time together, but what’s important is the time we DID HAVE together”


In accordance with Laurie’s wishes, there will be no service. A family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.


In lieu of flowers, a donation to Cancer Care Manitoba or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.


Laurie’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Paula, Larry & family

May 9, 2024 at 7:52 PM

An extraordinary tribute to a beautiful, remarkable woman, inside and out - of course she was taking care of her circle, even at the end.

Our heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved Laurie - most especially Kevin, Caleigh and David. She will always be with you.

xxx cousins Paula, Larry & family

…  One of my favourite pics of Laurie, taken in Savage Harbour, PEI - Laurie embraced our MacDonald-Boivin reunions with gusto & enthusiasm, as she did everything.  May she rest in Eternal Peace.  ❤️🙏

Glennis

May 9, 2024 at 7:49 PM

A beautiful young lady taken away from all she loved way too soon

Always a smile and thoughtful moment for  all her family and friends

I knew Laurie through friends if friends but always felt included in her visions

Rest In Peace dear laurie

thewabicks

May 9, 2024 at 7:47 PM

condolences to all of you during this difficult time. Your memory will live on forever with us Laurie ❤️you may be gone but never going to be forgotten ❤️

her “Teal Sister” Marie

May 9, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Laurie - a special person who I will never forget the love & kindness that she showed me -💔 

Brenda Latozke

May 9, 2024 at 7:31 PM

I had the pleasure of working with Laurie at Winnipeg’s largest law firm during the time she met her beloved Kevin. Laurie truly had a zest and love of life. She had a most beautiful, kind heart. I am deeply saddened to learn of her family’s devastating loss of their beloved wife, mother, daughter and sister.  With sincerest condolences, Brenda Latozke, former coworker.

Ron & Caroline Maryniuk

May 9, 2024 at 7:26 PM

We offer our sincere condolences to all the family❤️

Anonymous

May 9, 2024 at 7:18 PM

We should all have been so lucky to have such a wonderful lady in our lives you are so blessed to have had Laurie touch your lives God Bless you on the days you miss her she will be right there in your heart.

Maureen MacD

May 9, 2024 at 7:18 PM

One of my favourite days with Laurie when she visited in Victoria. Zip lining, waterside pub and ocean views. - Wonderful memories with a special person. 

Litchfield family

May 9, 2024 at 6:38 PM

Beautiful tribute. Sending sympathy wishes to the entire family.

Anonymous

May 9, 2024 at 6:25 PM

Laurie was a wonderful HOA secretary at Coyote Landing in Mesa. We miss her intelligence & presence. Eternal Peace be her reward. Condolences to her family and friends

Peters family

May 9, 2024 at 6:24 PM

Our family is so saddened to hear this news. I loved sitting next to Laurie watching David and our son Christian play ball, and remember her exclaiming “This is SO less stressful than hockey!” It was easy to become friends with the MacDonalds, and we will treasure our memories of those days forever.

Lori Subtelny

May 9, 2024 at 6:24 PM

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Laurie looks exactly as she did when I last saw her; playing outside with her and her sisters when I was visiting my Auntie Vicki & Uncle Ted.

Such  a beautiful testimony of her life! Such an inspiration even in sadness. Keeping all of you in my heart and prayers 🌷

Dave and Diane

May 9, 2024 at 6:23 PM

Kevin , David and Caleigh, we are so sorry for your loss. We will miss the many fun times we shared with Laurie from Bombers and Jets games, dinners and even baseball Spring training in Arizona. We are very grateful for the hospitality extended when we visited in AZ. Laurie was an exceptional host and organizer of get togethers and we will miss her friendship. 

Gary and Lori Maksymyk

May 9, 2024 at 6:22 PM

so sorry for your loss. Heartfelt sympathy for you, Kevin,  and your entire family. 

Sandy Bacon

May 9, 2024 at 6:09 PM

Deepest sympathy to Laurie’s family and friends. Rip Laurie…you were such a warrior❤️Here are a couple of

Pictures from a few years ago where we enjoyed a night at San Tan Flats in Arizona.

Tanya Yaremkiewich, Cousin

May 9, 2024 at 5:40 PM

Lorraine, Cheryl, Tracey, Kim and families I send my deepest condolences and pray that all the memories that Laurie has left for you will serve as comfort and peace during this very difficult time. Although it has been an excessively long time since we last saw one another, I very clearly remember the family visits at your place when your neighbor/friend came over with his accordion; all the adult as well as us kids had a blast!  And, the music theme continued when Laurie and Janice sang “Light up my Life” at Patrick & Susan’s wedding.  Such wonderful childhood memories!  Thank you Laurie and may you rest in eternal peace.

Fr. Art

May 9, 2024 at 5:34 PM

I offer my sincere condolences to you, Kevin, and to your family on the premature death of Laurie.  She lived her life so fully and well that I am confident she received a warm welcome upon her return Home and to her Maker.  May God grant her eternal happiness and generous blessings on all of you.

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