Kathleen, “Kay” MacDonald, who, along with her husband D. Alex MacDonald was inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007, passed away overnight at the Prince County Hospital.
Photo: Kay and D. Alex MacDonald
Here is their Hall of Fame citation:
Kathleen “Kay” Stuart MacDonald and Daniel Alexander “Alex” MacDonald
No two people have given more to the Sport of Curling in Prince Edward Island than have the husband and wife team of Kay and D. Alex MacDonald.
Kay began her curling career at the former Summerside Curling Club on Notre Dame Street, competing at the Club level and at the other Island Curling Clubs. In 1977 she was the winner of the “Ben Ames Williams International Mixed Bonspiel” in Belfast, Maine, curling as Lead for the Wyman Millar foursome…. the Bonspiel originated in 1962 and is named for the distinguished author of “Leave Her To Heaven”, Ben Ames Williams, himself a curler, residing in Searsport, near Belfast. The annual event includes teams from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts… as well as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
In 1983, Kay, playing lead for the Gen Enman Rink, won the PEI Senior Women’s Championship and competed at the Nationals in Guelph, Ontario.
Kay MacDonald was an active member of the Ladies Division of the Summerside Curling Club….. always ready to assist in Club activities, banquets, fund raising, etc…… and was Vice-President of the Club in 1976 and 1977, and was active in Membership and Publicity in 1977 and 1978.
Meanwhile, Alex, also began his curling career at the Summerside Curling Club, competing in the club events as well as at other Island Curling Clubs. He played second stone for the Wyman Millar team as they won the 1976 and 1977 “Ben Ames Williams International Mixed Bonspiel” in Belfast, Maine….. they recorded the first back- to-back wins by any team in the history of the prestigious event.
Alex MacDonald, like Kay, contributed greatly to Club activities….. he served as Co -Chair of Fund Raising for the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club… he donated a 1929 Model “A” Ford as a fund raiser, and ticket sales were sponsored by the Junior Curlers of the Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for the new Club.
As owner of D. Alex MacDonald Ltd, he has sponsored the “D. Alex MacDonald Closing Mixed Bonspiel” for 44 years…. and sponsored the “Provincial Men’s 8 year and Under” for 24 years.
For their contribution and dedication to curling, Alex and Kay were chosen as Honourary Hosts for the 2002 “Karcher Canadian Jr Curling Championships” held at the Silver Fox.
They have raised a family of 11 children : Donald, Roberta, David, Danny, Peter, Rod, Joanne, Michael, Pamela, Neil and Kathy….. Donald passed away in 2005.
They may have retired from active Curling, but they passed on their love of the game to a number of their children… creating a Family Curling Dynasty. Many are PEI Champions who have competed in National Events, such as the Brier, Scottie Tournament of Hearts and National Mixed….. two members of the family are Canadian Mixed Champions. Their family, like Mom & Dad, have also contributed greatly to their respective clubs, by serving on the executive, and by sponsorship and coaching… which has made Alex & Kay so very proud of their many achievements.
Kay and Alex MacDonald are Life Members of the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club… and for their tremendous contribution to Curling in this Province, they are worthy inductees as Builders, into the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame & Museum, this 15th day of November 2007.
Sons Rod and Peter, and their wives, both named Karen, were scheduled to curl as a team in the Provincial Mixed Curling Championships this weekend, but have, of course, withdrawn from the event.
Here is the funeral announcement from the Moase Funeral Home and Chapel website:
MacDonald – The death occurred at the Prince County Hospital, Summerside, on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, of Kathleen “Kay” MacDonald, of 252 Colin Avenue, Summerside, aged 84 years. Born in Wood Islands, she was the daughter of the late Hector and Roberta (MacMillan) Stuart. Survived by her husband D. Alex MacDonald; children Roberta (Paul) Heer; David (Florence) MacDonald; Danny (Jean) MacDonald; Peter (Karen) MacDonald; Rod (Karen) MacDonald; Joanne (John) Postma; Michael (Jennifer) MacDonald; Pamela (Tom) Wright; Neil (Barbara) MacDonald; Kathy (Mark) O’Rourke; 23 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sister Mary Sage; brother Jim (Ina) Stuart; sister-in-law Elva Stuart; numerous nieces and nephews; and by her loving pet Dudley. Predeceased by her son Don MacDonald; brother Robert; and by her sister Joan. Resting at the Moase Funeral Home, Summerside, until Friday, then to St. Paul’s Church, Summerside, for funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. Interment later in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Summerside. No visiting hours by personal request. Memorial donations to the Prince County Hospital Foundation, Camp Gencheff or the Salvation Army would be appreciated.