Obituaries

MACDONALD (NEE KENNEDY), Alyce

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Alyce Macdonald (née Kennedy) on February 2, 2021. She was 93 and deeply loved by a large, close-knit family.

Alyce (“Gram”, “Aunty Alyce”) was born in Andrew, Alberta, April 19, 1927. Her father, James “Jimmy”, and her mother Pearl, were Scottish and Métis and late in her life she enjoyed being able to learn about her Kennedy, Mennie and Pruden family history back to Red River, Manitoba and the HBC. She was the fifth oldest of twelve children and helped her father on their farm near Grassland and worked briefly as a school teacher in a one-room school. She shared so many stories from those hard early days and was always ready to laugh about her adventures. She was very close with her siblings and after her sister Gladys settled in Okanagan Centre in the 1940s, the rest of the family followed. Most of them still live in Westbank and the Okanagan, with many of their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Our big Kennedy family parties are precious to us and it is hard to not be able to have one for her right now but we are all together in spirit.

Alyce first knew Bud Macdonald as her neighbour and her best friend Faye’s big brother. She was just 14 when Bud went off to the war and they wrote letters to each other the whole time. Bud’s brother Charlie married Alyce’s sister Gladys and then Alyce and Bud married when he returned from the war, where he had been terribly injured and in hospital overseas for nearly a year. Bud and Alyce’s adored daughter, Jeannette, was born in 1947 and their house was always full of love and family and many, many cousins. Alyce loved her days working at the Westbank Market and she also worked at the Westbank Packers (“the packing house”) and enjoyed that she lived at The Heritage on the same site so many years later. Bud and Alyce loved to play cards and travel with Alyce’s sister Esther and her husband Milton Reece and their cherished friends, Stan and Olive Bjornson. Bud and Alyce and Dorothy and George and their two families were always together, fishing and camping, and even living side-by-side in their duplex and with Elnor right across the street. Bud passed in 1984 and our happiest thought is that Bud and Alyce are together again at last.

Alyce was always fashionable, sporty and full of life; she was a champion skip and she loved golfing. She also loved playing games with her sisters and her grandchildren and she was still beating us all at bocce and Scrabble until she was 92. She was an intrepid traveler and went to Europe and Thailand with Scott and to Mexico with Jana and her family and she loved to tell her great grandchildren that she had ridden a camel in the Sahara and an elephant in the jungle. Alyce was always ready for a road trip and she was still driving her car and hosting the weekly family dinners until 2019. She took wonderful care of her grandchildren, Scott and Jana, who were the centre of her universe, and all of her beloved great grandchildren, Austin, Noah, Tianna, Acacia and Angus. Her sisters and brothers, Bob, George, Elnor, Gladys, Dorothy, Esther, Laurie, Donny, Ron, Bill, and Denny and all of their spouses, children and many grandchildren were precious to her and her unconditional love was a guiding light for everyone who knew her.

The five sisters were inseparable and when they were together, you knew all was right with the world and the laughter was contagious. They travelled together and they were each other’s best friends. In later years, they took turns making dinners for each other several times a week, often joined by a brother or two for a drink and a story. Alyce took care of her “little” brothers when they were young and then they took care of her in recent years and she loved them so much and was so proud of them.

Growing up, Jeannette remembers the door always being open to her friends and how her parents provided a safe environment for everyone. Alyce was a second Mom to Scott and Jana and always made time to put them first. Alyce and Jeannette loved their orchard and the family would come over for the apple harvest and stay for a party. There was always a reason to be together! It was all about family.

Alyce’s last year at The Heritage in West Kelowna was difficult but she felt safer with her big sister Elnor down the hall and they were able to visit on the deck, there was always Jeannette, a sibling or a grandchild or a great grandchild phoning to check on her or to wave through the window, Jana was able to help her in her apartment, and the family had some wonderful visits with her outside this past summer.

Jeannette, Scott, his wife Sara, Jana, and her husband Dan, would like to thank the wonderful staff at The Heritage; Paulo, Tracey and staff at The Medicine Shoppe; the specialists who helped Gram with her safety and mobility; and the kind nurses and doctors at KGH. Alyce’s passing was sudden but peaceful and we are forever thankful for her love.

A celebration of life will be held at a happy time down the road.

Condolence Messages

Apr 20, 2021
Jeannette, Jana and Scott and to our whole family, my heart is broken. I send my deepest condolences and deepest love. shan
Feb 15, 2021
Dear Denny , Barb and family

We are sorry to hear of the loss of Denny’s sister. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love Mariellen and Shawn
Feb 14, 2021
We are with heavy hearts to hear of Alyce's passing.She will always be remembered by our Family.The Macdonald's were always a part of our lives . Our mother was Auntie Viv .Our last visit with Alyce was at her sister Gladys celebration of life , where we had a short re connection again with the Kennedy Family. We have some very beautiful memories of our times together.Condolences to Jennette and Family.

Sending our Love Gladys , Martha , Eddie ,Viola, Lil ( Trenholm )
Feb 14, 2021
Jeannette and family,

So very sorry for the loss of your mom,she will be missed for sure. She was special and your dad was a gem of a man..l loved running into as we would always get caught up on our families.our thoughts and prayers to you and your family and the Kennedy’s at this most difficult time .sending hugs to you all.

Chris and Bev (nee Shepherd)Reiswig
Feb 13, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family. Levina Kneller and family.
Feb 13, 2021
Dear Jeanette,Jana, Scott

So sorry for your loss. What wonderful memories to help you through this difficult times. She will always be in your hearts.

Elaine and Dale Maxwell
Feb 12, 2021
Dear MacDonald & Kennedy Family,

So sorry for your loss of Alyce. This tribute brings back so many wonderful memories! Thank You, for sharing Alyce with all of us in Westbank over the years. Love & Hugs to All. Cherish your memories and I am sure a few will bring a smile to your face.

Love,

Norma Jean Sayers
Feb 12, 2021
Dear Jeanette, Scott, and Jana,

Your parents and Families were just the BEST neighbors anyone could have. We shared many laughs over the fence. Your over-whelming memories will help ease the pain of such a great loss. Love and Hugs

Marjorie Kain
Feb 12, 2021
My condolences to the Kennedy family, I curled with Alyce when I first came to Kelowna many years ago and know many in the family. I know they are a close family and will miss the loss of a loved member. Memories will last forever.

Linda Bernat
Feb 11, 2021
Bill ,Lisa , Laurie and the rest of the Kennedy clan, so sorry for your loss ,you lost a great lady, but i am sure you all have great memories. Allan Siegmann
Feb 11, 2021
A beautiful, heartfelt tribute to your mom, Jennette...Tony and I send our condolences, love and hope you and your family find peace and joy in the life she lead.
Feb 11, 2021
So sorry for your loss my friend. Thoughts r with U & your family. Wendi & Misty.
Feb 11, 2021
Jeanette and the Kennedy clan

Our sincere condolences , Alyce will be

Missed by all who knew her

Clarence and Marge Fenton and family
Feb 11, 2021
Dear Jeanette, Scott and Jana and your families. It was a shock to hear auntie Alyce had passed. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We all will miss her VERY much. Our prayers and thoughts are with you as you pass through this difficult time. She was a wonderful lady!

Love, Sharon and John
Feb 11, 2021
Thanks Jana for the memories. Since we're such a close family, she is sorely missed. This lovely picture brought a few tears.

Love and hugs, auntie Elnor and the Kennedy Clan
Feb 11, 2021
Sorry for your loss, we have fond memories of Alyce. Our sincere condolences to Jeanette and family.

Barb and Garth Penner
Feb 11, 2021
Our condolences to the Kennedy Family. I used to bowl with Alyce and Elnor many years ago. My husband knows Don. Alyce was so much fun and her smile lit up the room. She lived a great life and I can still hear her laugh. Deb & Jack Schramm
Feb 11, 2021
a beautiful tribute ... Ella Kelly Cathy Lindsay & Al
Feb 11, 2021
Sorry to hear of the passing of your mother Jeanette. We passed her in the hallway of the Heritage when we were visiting a friend one day. When I realized it was your Mom we had a nice visit. She seemed very happy with her spot & invited us to come visit sometime. She always had such a beautiful smile. Our thoughts& prayers are with you & your family. Bev & Don Froom
Feb 11, 2021
Jeannette, Scott, Jana and family. So sorry to read of your mom's (grandma's) passing. Alyce was a wonderful lady and always had a warm smile and hello everytime I saw her. I know how much she loved to golf at Shannon Lake and how disappointed she was when she had her hip operation and wasn't able to golf much after. After reading this, We may be related as my mom was Metis and her mother was also from Manitoba. Just started to research my moms Metis background as she passed in October at 102. Definitely a small world. My sincere condolences, Alyce will definitely be remembered as a beautiful and kind lady.

Daryl Utigard