The family of Janet MacDonald is saddened to announce her passing, only four months
after her beloved husband Eldon. She passed peacefully in her sleep at Grace Village
on Feb 20, 2026, in her 88th year.
She leaves to mourn her children Mike (Karen) and Gina (Dwight), grandchildren Owen
(Heidy), Liam (Justine), Isaac and Amanda (AJ); great-grandchildren Willow, Rawson
and another on the way. She was predeceased by her parents Montague Sewell and
Bernice (Hunting), brother Carl (late Sybil)and her brother-in-law Stan (late Benita). She
will be missed by cousins near and far, nieces and nephews and many friends.
Janet was born in Quebec City and when she and her brother Carl were old enough
they would spend summers at the Sewell farm in Portneuf. Janet studied nursing at the
Montreal General Hospital, then after marrying Eldon enjoyed a career as a labor and
delivery nurse at the Sherbrooke Hospital until that unit was closed. Switching gears,
she became an emergency room nurse until her retirement, when the hospital became
a long-term-care facility.
Janet was a loving mother and grandmother, devoted wife, active Church member,
knowledgeable nurse. She loved life, travel, laughing and telling stories. To have her
words mixed up by vascular dementia and watch her motivation decline was so
frustrating to her and heartbreaking to watch. We were able to connect on some level
when we visited even at the end, and it was rewarding to see a smile or raised eyebrow
or other facial expression that was undeniably her, or to hear a few words come out as
intended to affirm that connection.
There will be a visitation on Friday, Feb. 27 at Cass Funeral Home from 7pm-9pm and
at St. Andrew’s Church (256 Queen St.) on Saturday Feb 28 from 10 am followed by the
funeral service at 11 am.
Burial will be in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the heart and stroke foundation or to
the Alzheimer’s society.
