Cassie McDonald
McDONALD - The family of Cassie McDonald is sad to announce her passing on August 17, 2021 at the age of 101 years.
Cassie was born on May 2, 1920, the fifth of eleven children born to Titus and Rebecca Becker of Clavet, SK. The early days of Cassie’s life were spent working on the farm and helping with her brothers and sisters. At a very early age, she found music as an outlet to help her endure the hardships in her life.
While working on the McDonald farm at Bickleigh, Cassie met her future husband, Elton McDonald, who shared her interest in music. Elton and Cassie were married on November 26, 1939. They ran a successful mixed farm and raised five children. They along with other relatives and friends played music for many functions and dances in the area for many years.
After Elton’s passing in 1981, she continued to farm with her eldest son Darryl until retiring to Rosetown in 1993. Cassie then volunteered by assisting the activity director at the lodge, taking who she called “the old people” to various functions and shopping even though she was roughly the same age. Cassie was instrumental in forming the Rosetown Fiddlers, both fiddling and playing the piano for the group. She also joined the Odds and Ends singing group and the Seniors Choral Group, playing the piano for both groups as they entertained throughout the community.
Cassie enjoyed yard work and could often be found in the garden and the flower beds. She was a fantastic seamstress frequently using the Western Producer to make her own pattern pieces. She enjoyed quilting and made many quilts, both crazy quilts and intricate designs for family and friends. A woman of many talents, she also took up painting later in life.
Cassie was predeceased by her husband Elton in 1981, her eldest son Darryl in 2016, her son-in-law Dale Brown in 2015 as well as her parents and all of her siblings.
She is survived by her children Darwin, Deara, Delma and Dociel and their families, daughter-in-law Phyllis, 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Dr. Dave Ledding for his care of Cassie over the last 35 years and the management and staff at Orange Memories for their excellent care of Cassie in her last few years. A special thank you to Dr. Debra Genesis and the nursing staff for their excellent care during her final days at the Rosetown hospital and thank you to Amanda Starosta at Shanidar Funeral Services for the guidance and compassion shown to the family at this difficult time.
At Cassie’s request, no service will be held. Anyone wishing to may make a donation in Cassie’s memory to the Alex Ositis Foundation, P.O. Box 1251, Rosetown, SK, S0L 2V0 or STARS, Hangar 21, 2475 Airport Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 1M4. To send online condolences please visit shanidarfuneralservices.com. Arrangements entrusted to Amanda Starosta.