Barbara Ann (Mac Millan) Mac Donald, Age 74, of North Chelmsford, formerly of Wilmington and Tewksbury, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 26, 2016 surrounded by her family. Barbara was the daughter of John Dan Mac Millan and Florence Margaret (Mac Isaac) Mac Millan. She was born in Port Hood, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia on May 21, 1941.
She moved to the United States at the age of 19, where she resided in Waltham, MA. She was employed by several companies including: B. F. Goodrich, Sylvania, Sweet Heart Plastics, CVD, Bandwagon, Harvard Pilgrim Vanguard, Tel Labs, and Maine Technical Source. Not only was she an asset to each and every organization, but she was also a treasured babysitter for many little ones.
Barbara could be found actively involved with her family and often behind the scenes busily helping others. She was pleasant, quick-witted and liked to have old-fashioned fun. She loved the things of life: music, dancing, the seashore, children, and animals; especially, making people happy. She was easy to talk to and saw the goodness in people. A beautiful lady with a warm smile, and bright blue eyes – she was a favorite companion. It is not surprising that Barbara had the most visitors at the nursing home where she spent her final days. Barbara often cared for the sick and made time for those who needed a friend. Her unwavering faith guided her throughout her life as she remained gracious, kind and strong. She gave and didn’t expect much in return. Barbara would often say, “It was the right thing to do.”
Barbara was the loving wife of Ronald G. Mac Donald, beloved mother of Donna L. Mac Donald of Watertown; Brenda Ingersoll and her husband Michael of Tewksbury; Linda Mac Donald Storer of Wilmington; and Ronald (Frank) Mac Donald and his wife Jennifer of Chelmsford. She is survived by her four grandchildren: Caryssa Ingersoll, Sarah Mac Donald-King, Dwight Storer IV, and Connor Mac Donald. She is also survived by several brothers and sisters and their spouses including: Loretta Ball, Mary Kennedy, Angus and Louise Mac Millan, Pauline and Phil Brake, Donald and Jeanette (Jeannie) Mac Millan, Josephine Marie (Josie) Ouellette, and John Francis Mac Millan, Martha Mac Millan (Wife of Alexander), Karen Mac Millan (Wife of Archie). Barbara was the sister-in-law of John Dan Mac Donald, Cecil Mac Donald, Francis (Frank) Mac Donald, Elda Mac Lean, Margaret (Margie) Mac Phail, Lexis Evans, James Mac Donald, and Jessie Mac Donald.
Barbara was predeceased by her siblings: Catherine (Louise) Mac Millan, Alexander Mac Millan, and Archibald (Archie) Mac Millan and her in-laws John Ball (husband of Loretta), Ronald Kennedy (husband of Mary), Marilyn Mac Millan (wife of Angus), Rocky Ouellette (husband of Josie), and Dougald (Dougie) Mac Donald.
She is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Avenue (Rt. 62), Wilmington on Thursday, March 3rd at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Dorothy’s Church, Main St. (Rte. 38), Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 2nd from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory can be made to the Ronald Mc Donald House Charities, Inc., 229 Kent St., Brookline, MA 02446 (www.rmhc.org) or to the Canadian American Club, 202 Arlington St., Watertown, MA 02472.
Linda, Brenda, Donna, Frankie, and family,
We send our love from Windsor. We pray that The Lord gives you strength and comfort and that the love of your family will help you through this most difficult time. We are sorry that we will not be able to attend Barbara’s service but you will be in our thoughts and prayers as you say goodbye to your sweet mom. Hold her love and memories in your heart always and they will get you through the hardest days. Our sincere sympathy to you all. Barbara was a sweet lady and will be missed by all.
Love Gary, Debra, Colin, Curtis, and Cameran xoxo
My sincere condolences to all Barbara’s family, which includes her children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.
Barbara was a good friend of mine. We had a lot of good times together, and she was totally loyal and dependable. The official obituary described her so well, as she was kind to all she came across and doing for others. She did see the good in others even if others did not. True kindness.
I will see her again in Heaven before too long, as we were close in age. She is with our dear Lord and enjoying His glorious presence. I loved Barbara. May she rest in peace.
I’m a friend and coworker of Frank MacDonald, and have heard him talk about his mother with such affection and respect. She was obviously dearly loved and will be dearly missed. My prayers for the MacDonald family in this difficult time, with the comforting knowledge that Barbara is now in God’s hands.
She was a beautiful person in side and out,loved by many and will never be forgotten by her kindness
We are so very sorry to hear of Barbara’s death. I grew up in the same neighbourhood as her and I remember her great sense of humour.
So sad that she is gone and still so young.
May God Bless her
Josephine
To The MacMillan Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. I pray the love and support of all your family and friends will be felt by each and everyone at this sad time. You will be all in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless Barbara and may she be at peace .
Rannie & Stella MacRae
Port Hood
Linda, we are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your mother our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family always , God bless
I remember Barbara as a neighbour, classmate and friend. Although we lived far apart in the last fifty-some years, I always enjoyed meeting up with her again in Cape Breton, sometimes at family functions. My sister Marie will be sad to hear of her passing, as they were the same age and very good friends, and especially since Marie is in ill health in a nursing home. God speed, Barbara.
Our deepest sympathy to the family and siblings of Barbara !! We were neighbors living in Hawthorne and spent many a Sunday after going to mass and having dinner getting together at our house or at John Dans for the afternoon. R.I.P. Dear Barbara!!!
My thoughts are with you and your family, Brenda. Wishing you peace as you lay your mom to rest.
Our deepest sympathy to you. We met your Mom in Mabou several years ago and she was a gracious lady. I know she was loved by all her family and altho she is gone, you will have precious memories. With love and prayers, Willena and Jeanette Campbell, Black River, NS
Linda,Brenda Frank and Donna my thoughts and prayers go out to you at this very sad time. What beautiful words you used to describe your Mother she would be honored and proud. I hope you find comfort in her memories and each other.
Dear Frankie and all your family,
Your thoughts on your mother touched our hearts.
I know how precious and thoughtful a son you must have been as I remember teaching you in Port Hood and loved the short time you spent in my class.
You were blessed to have such a wonderful mother. Deepest sympathy
Gerald and Barbara Maclellan Praying for you today!
sYMPATHY to Ronnie and family and all the MACMillan and MacDonald Families. We go away back to the Hawthorne Days and then Boston for many years. Barbara wa a wondefulclassy lady, May she R.I.P fROM ALL THE macMaster Family,Boston and Judqiue..
To Linda,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. May she rest in peace and her memory be eternal.
my prayers are with your mother & all her family may she rest in peace god bless you all
Deepest sympathy to all. Sincerely, Gary MacInnis and Elaine MacLean, Inverness.
My sincere condolences to Barbara’s Family, at the loss of their Mother.
I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Please know you are in our thoughts & prayers. May she rest in peace.
Darlene & Don Kenney
I am so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. She was such a warm and welcoming person. Her love for her family was always apparent. My deepest sympathy and prayers at this time of loss.
Melanie Evans Chickering