Madeline MacDonnell

Beloved Mother
It is with great sadness and deep regret that we announce the passing of Madeline MacDonnell (nee Coady), beloved mother to Jack W MacDonnell of Caledon and Danny MacDonnell (deceased). Madeline passed away quietly in her sleep Tuesday October 26, 2010 in Brampton after a courageous and brave battle with cancer for the last year – her son was by her side. She is also survived by her grandsons Joshua and Corbin, daughter-in-law Kimberley Masters, ex daughter-in-law Maureen Hobbs, sister’s Hannah Brennan, Mary Evans, Ruth Peers (deceased), brother’s Joseph Coady, Andrew Coady, and Bert Coady (deceased) and a long line of loving nieces, nephews and cousins mainly from Newfoundland – a place she always referred to as home.

Madeline recently moved to Hanover Ontario, after living in the Brampton area for more than 30 years. Born in St John’s Newfoundland, Madeline married Jack F MacDonnell (Sr) in 1960 and had their two son’s Jackie and Danny before moving to Ontario in the early 70’s. Madeline and Jack Sr divorced more than 20 years ago but always remained friends.

Madeline worked most of her career at Garrett Manufacturing/Allied Signal Aerospace/Honeywell where she retired 9 years ago as the company’s Security Officer responsible for Military contracts and security requirements – a position she achieved after 31 years of employment and with which she held in high regard. Madeline had a passion for aviation and could identify all present day fighter jets and most post war jets including the SR-71 Blackbird, one of her favorite planes of all time. Shortly before her retirement, she received a personal tour of Bagotville Canadian Forces Base where she sat in a CF-18 Hornet – an experience she recounted fondly. Madeline also fulfilled a life long dream of visiting the great pyramids of Egypt in the early 90’s where she rode a camel and scaled the pyramid steps, smiling and laughing all the while.

Madeline always went out of her way to befriend everyone; colleagues including long time friend Lydia Naylor, neighbours, or strangers on the street. She loved her family and friends deeply – despite loosing Danny at a tender age of 15 years old in 1978, she pressed on for Jackie, Jack Sr., and for herself. Her son Jack will always remember his Mom for her acts of kindness, generosity, support and caring. She is once again at peace and continues to be surrounded by loved ones in her after life.

Jack, and his family, would like to extend sincere thanks to all the caring nurses and doctors at the Brampton Civic Hospital, who provided warm smiles and supportive medical attention making Madeline’s final journey as comfortable and respectful as possible. As to Madeline’s wishes; no service or memorial will be held but the family has asked that donations to the cancer society, in lieu of flowers, be made through Ward Funeral Home in Brampton Ontario.