DONELDA MARJORIE MCLEAN

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DONELDA MARJORIE MCLEAN

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donelda Marjorie McLean (Louttit) at the age of 87 years. She passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with family by her side.

Donelda was born on May 6, 1938, in Souris Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years Bruce, daughter-in-law Cathy and sister Shirley Good.

Donelda will be lovingly remembered by sons Kelly (Cathy, deceased) and their children Kaitlyn (Scott), Braden and Jennifer; Kevin (Bev) and their children Sydney (Alister) and Josey (Blake); and Kory (Carmen) and their children Ella, Lily and Alek.

Donelda grew up with her parents Lorance (Puka) and Charlotte Louttit and her sister Shirley on their farm north-east of Elgin. After graduation she attended Normal School in Winnipeg and got her first job teaching Grades 1-8 at Derry School near Douglas. It was there that she met Bruce, and they were married in August 1958. They moved to Churchill for Bruce’s job as a firefighter before Donelda returned to Carberry for the birth of their first son, Kelly, in 1960. After returning to Churchill for a brief time, they returned to be closer to their families. They lived and made many friendships on 10th Street after Bruce joined the Brandon Police Service in 1961. Donelda stayed home to continue raising her family and sons Kevin arrived in 1967, followed by Kory in 1972. The family moved to Forrest in the summer of 1973 where they resided for the next 42 years. Donelda often remarked that Forrest was the perfect place to live and raise their 3 sons and they made many deep and enduring friendships throughout their years there. Donelda returned to work as a teacher-assistant at Forrest Elementary School 1978 and worked with many great teachers and students until her retirement. She made many life-long friends with the staff there and connected with her “kids”, who benefited from her no-nonsense but deeply caring approach to helping them learn. In 2015 Donelda and Bruce moved to Monterey Estates in Brandon, where they again became part of the community and continued to make strong friendships. After Bruce’s passing, Donelda eventually made her final move to Rotary Villas where, even though her time there was relatively brief, she made more strong connections.

Donelda was the foundation for her family, and they were the most important people in her life. While sometimes strict, often stubborn and always straight-forward, she sincerely loved and wanted the very best for her family. She also had a subtle and unique sense of humour that was apparent to anyone who knew her well. She was most especially proud of her 8 precious grandchildren, who were truly the apple of her eye. She took great delight in the simple pleasures of reading, playing games, cooking and baking with them when they were younger. She delighted in celebrating their milestones & accomplishments and took great pride in watching them all grow to be fine young adults. She often remarked she was so lucky to spend so much time with them and truly get to know and cherish their unique and individual personalities. She leaves behind a legacy of love and friendship that lives on in those she held dear.

The family of Donelda would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses, care aides, doctors and other staff at the hospital, especially in the Palliative Care Unit, for the exceptional care that Donelda received in the final weeks of her life. They would also like to thank the staff of Rotary Villas over the past year and the Home Care workers that assisted Donelda in her final months living there.

The Celebration of Donelda’s Life was held at Memories Chapel on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Interment preceded at Elgin Cemetery. Thank you to Barb Jardine for the touching service and to Donelda’s son Kelly for the wonderful eulogy to honour Donelda’s life.

Donations in memory of Donelda may be made to Forrest United Church, Box 48, Forrest, MB, R0K 0W0, Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation – Palliative Care, 150 McTavish Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9 or a charity of your choice.

When I’m Gone



When I come to the end of my journey

And I travel my last weary mile

Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned

And remember only the smile



Forget unkind words I have spoken

Remember some good I have done,

Forget that I have ever had heartache

And remember I’ve had loads of fun



Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered

And sometimes fell by the way,

Remember I’ve fought some hard battles

And won, ere the close of the day



Then forget to grieve for my going

I would not have you sad for a day,

But in summer just gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay



And come in the shade of evening

When the sun paints the sky in the west

Stand for a few moments beside me

And remember only my best



-Lyman Hancock

Publish Date: Aug 9, 2025

DONELDA MARJORIE MCLEAN

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Donelda McLean, beloved wife of the late Bruce McLean, passed away with family by her side on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Donelda will be lovingly remembered by her sons Kelly, Kevin, Kory and their families.

A Celebration of Donelda’s Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be held at Elgin Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Donelda may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation – Palliative Care, 150 McTavish Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9.

Complete obituary information will follow.

Publish Date: Aug 2, 2025

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As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 02, 2025, Aug 09, 2025