With heavy hearts, we announce that Jackie passed away on August 31, 2023 at the age of 77.

 

Born in Estevan Saskatchewan on March 18, 1946, Jackie was the first of 4 children born to Marguerite and Jim MacDonald. She and her sister Bobbie were close in age and tough as nails. Their brother Rory seemed to always find himself in trouble but his sisters saved his skin more than a few times. Charles or “Chick” as they called him, was the baby and 18 years younger than Jackie so she was out of the house already by the time he came along.  Their father was a true Scotsman and Jackie loved him dearly until his accidental death at an early age.  That’s when Jackie began to embrace her mother’s Metis heritage with Cree roots.

 

She married the love of her life Richard Arnold Strickland in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan when she was 18 and he 19 years of age.  They went on to have 4 children in close succession which left Jackie changing diapers at a furious pace.  Never afraid to work hard, Jackie insisted on going to work at the local Kentucky Fried Chicken to make extra money for her family.  She and Rick loved to dance and Elvis Presley was their idol.

 

They moved to Winnipeg in 1971 and Jackie had their 5th child.  Jackie was a naturally gifted athlete and dancer so she was determined to give her kids the same opportunities.  She enrolled them in various sports, dance/gym classes and when ringette first came to Winnipeg, she was one of the first female coaches. Jackie also loved to camp so their weekends were often spent at Birds Hill Park or St. Malo in a pop-up camper.

 

 Jackie did many odd jobs to keep the family fed, clothed and active but when she fell on hard times, her faith kept her going especially through her tumultuous marriage.   

 

Around 1979, Jackie became a single parent and obtained her GED to become a Manitoba Youth Centre (MYC) counsellor and teacher. She was also an active volunteer with the Prairie Theatre Exchange, the Folk Festival, Parents Without Partners and many indigenous organizations. After 20 years of working with troubled kids at MYC, she retired with a work disability but continued to mentor and share indigenous teachings with others.

 

Jackie survived many physical challenges later in life including a cardiac arrest which left her with a brain injury and she had severe COPD which confined her to full time oxygen for the past decade. Even then she volunteered on the Brain Injury Association Board of Directors and found time to participate in activities with her friends at Appleton Estates.  She loved being the “jokester” and spent many, many hours talking to friends and family by telephone or frequently calling politicians to give them a piece of her mind.  She was truly a character and she will be deeply missed.

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She is survived by:
 

• her 5 children Shannon (Mark), Shelly (Bruce), Tracy (Rick), Jim (Christine) and Geoff (Kelly);

• her grandchildren Jason (Jasmin), Tracy (Matthew), Jacob, Ashley (Ian), Jessica (Dean), Jamie-Lee (Austin), Mike (Kim), Randi, Alex, Mitchell, Brett (Kristin), Martin (Karissa), Bryanne (Rane), Liam and Rylan;

• her great-grandchildren Mila, Evie, Jake, Sadie and Emma;

• her siblings “Bobbie” and “Chick” (Liz);

as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents Marguerite and Jim MacDonald, her brother Rory, her grand-daughter Billie-Jo and her former husband Rick.

 

In accordance with Jackie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held however a small private celebration of life will be held in the near future. Special thanks to the staff at Riverview Health Centre for their kindness, patience and caring towards Jackie.

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Special thanks to Mom’s good friends Jeff “Goose”, Ted, Kathy, George, Betty and Pat who provided care and compassion to her over the past few years.

 

Mom would want to also thank her friends in group at the Manitoba Brain Injury Association for their hours of love and laughter.  She spoke of you often.

 

Kinanaskomitin (formal thank you in Cree) to the Manitoba Metis Federation and President David Chartrand for the mutual respect he shared with Mom. She was proud to be an Elder, teaching her culture and ceremonies to all that would listen.

 

And finally, thanks to her extended family cousins Tom, Ken, Alison and Darlene for spending so much time chatting with Mom over the phone about the MacDonald family history.