Published December 4, 2020
MELROSE — Elsie D. (Swain) MacDonald, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Winchester Hospital on Sunday, November 29, 2020, at age 92.
Elsie was born in Malden on October 29, 1928, one of four children of the late Thomas M. and Audrey R. (Kendrick) Swain. Raised and educated in Malden, she met her future husband, Ronald J. MacDonald, on the bus route to work, and they were married on August 2, 1953. They settled in Melrose to raise a family of four children.
With a love for baking, Elsie offered friends and family an endless supply of baked goods at any hour of the day. Her home was known for the constant supply of cookies, cakes or eclairs in the neighborhood. Raised during the Great Depression, Elsie used her sewing skills to craft clothes for her children, and household necessities. Always independent, her self-reliance continued throughout her life as an inner strength, and determined will.
With family roots in Nova Scotia, Elsie enjoyed return trips to Cape Breton Island every summer. She loved to travel whether to Canada, Europe, Alaska, or even Las Vegas for the slot machines. She also enjoyed bus trips with friends to Foxwoods. In her later years, she enjoyed working at the Downtown Club in Boston, and cherished time spent with her grandchildren. Most of all, Elsie was a strong willed, always proper, and family centric woman who provided loving support to her husband, children and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
Elsie was the beloved wife of the late Ronald J. “Mac” MacDonald with whom she shared 47 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Elaine M. MacDonald of San Miguel, Mexico, Donna J. Fox and her husband Jim of Melrose, Thomas M. MacDonald and his wife Sheila of Wilmington, Alesia A. Jillett and her husband Bill of Hanover. She was the dear sister of the late Thomas Swain, Jr., Evelyn Bemis, and Irwin Swain. She was the cherished grandmother of James “Mac” Fox and his fiancé Dr. Magda Nowak, Hayley Fox Dube and her husband Tad, Colin MacDonald, Paige MacDonald, Gage Jillett, Matthew Jillett, and Daniel Jillett. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered for her graveside service at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in honor of Elsie to A Servant’s Heart Food Pantry, 200 Franklin St., Melrose MA 02176. To offer your words of love and support, please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
