MacDonald (Hughes), Phyllis, RN Age 96, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2024, at Andrews of Stratford with her family by her side. Loving mom to Austin (Kathleen), Leah Kilbride (Gary) and Lorena MacDonald-Howard (late Rick Howard). She loved being a grandmother. Affectionally named G-Phyl by her seven grandchildren, Jason MacDonald (Brittany), Dara MacDonald (Noe Arias Baltazar), David MacDonald (Kim), Charlotte MacDonald (Patrick Duff), Hannah MacDonald (Andrew McFarlane), Stephen Likely (Lindsay Hodd) and Zachary MacDonald. But it was her favorite role by far being GG-Phyl to Rayna, Ford, Layne and Wyatt that gave her so much joy later in life. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Stephen and Cecilia Hughes; infant brother, John; and by Frank, her loving husband of 57 years. Sadly, she was also predeceased by her oldest daughter, Paula (Frank Likely) and son, Mark (Dr. Joanne MacDonald). Phyllis lived a long life, full of love, adventure, and resilience. Phyllis was born in Charlottetown and raised in Breadalbane. She graduated high school at the age of 15 and completed her teaching certificate at Prince of Wales college. By the age of 17 she began teaching school in a one room school house, quickly realizing this was not going to be her calling in life. Next, she went on to graduate from the Charlottetown Hospital School of Nursing in 1949. She worked as a Registered Nurse for the next five years. After having her five children she resumed her career in nursing. In 1968, she transitioned to a position teaching nursing assistants until moving to a research assistant role with the Department of Health in 1978. This role soon evolved into a position as Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Health until 1982. This was more than a job to her. Her colleagues at the Department of Health became longtime friends far surpassing her time in this position. In 1982, she was appointed Executive Director of Occupational Health and Safety for Prince Edward Island. This position proved to be the most challenging and exciting position of her career eventually taking her to every province and territory in Canada until her retirement in 1988. Phyllis was excited for the next phase of her life. She was invited to join the Zonta Club of Charlottetown in 1984. She went on to serve as club president from 1988 to 1990. Zonta gave her first taste of international travel with trips to Japan, China and the US. She had a great love of travel. She and Frank would go on to travel extensively throughout North America. Her other cherished past times were reading, quilting, playing cards and cycling. She has biked the PEI Confederation Trail Tip to Tip (273 kms)seven times. She loved cycling with her grandchildren most. Having gone on many cycling adventures with them and Frank, but best by far was the year she did the Tip-to-Tip with her grandson Zach. Later that year they would be recognized in the PEI Legislature by the Minister of Tourism as being the youngest, nine years old, and the oldest, 78 years old, to complete the Tip-to-Tip trail by bicycle. Phyllis continued cycling well into her 80's. Once road and trail cycling proved challenging in her late 80's and early 90's, she turned her passion into the stationary biking at Andrews. A visitation will take place Sunday July 14th at Hennessey Cutcliffe Funeral home From 2–4 p.m. A funeral mass will take place on Monday June 15th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish Church in Stratford. Burial to follow in the Roman Catholic Cemetery Charlottetown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the Management and Care Team of Andrews of Stratford. Thank you for the care you gave Phyllis in her eight years with you, but most importantly for the love, support and compassion she was shown while in nursing care. We would also like to acknowledge her dear friends Martha, Aggie and Jane. Your kindness and friendship to Phyllis over the years meant the world to her and her family. www.islandowned.ca
Phyllis, Rn MACDONALD (HUGHES) — Stratford
