Joan MacDougall
This web site is dedicated to Joan MacDougall loving wife of Gordon Q. MacDougall and devoted mother of David, Linda, Phil and Janet.
Philip Whitfield MacDougall: A week seldom went by without a message being left on our answering machine with a very creative poem or story. The theme's ranged from world events to a family members trip to the market. Regardless of the topic, the final product was always in perfect rhythm and always very entertaining. Mom always had a unique sense of awareness when it came to her family members. If one of us was having a tough day or in the middle of a stressful project we would generally receive a phone call asking us if everything was okay and offer a shoulder to lean on, a comfort hug or words of encouragement that would help us get through the moment.
Joan loved to read, write poems and always loved a good joke. For those that knew mom it was very common for her to start laughing way before the punch line was delivered generating a room full of laughter. Mom always worried about others first and was the definition of encouragement and support to her childen. Mom was very uncomfortable with any type of acknowledgement such as this web site but it is important to understand mom, her history, and to the best of my ability convery her contributions to this world and what she meant to our family.
Joan Margaret MacDougall was born in 1931 on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Her parents Whitfield and Florence MacLeod along with her brother John worked on the family farm which was their primary source of income.
Ashley Joan MacDougall: Why didn’t Gordon make it to Boston? Because he saw a sign that said, “Boston left” so he turned around and went home. Every time you spoke to Grammy she had a funny joke ready better your day. You don’t realize how much you will miss those simple little jokes until you don’t get to hear them anymore. My grandmother was someone who once meeting you instantly aspire to be like. To tell you the truth I have a hard time putting all my Gram’s good traits into writing. No matter how hard I try, I can never do justice to what she overcame in her lifetime. I know we are all missing and saddened that we all lost a great lady. But I know wherever she is now she’s happy and content with what she left us. She was a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a friend, and amazing woman. With every part of her life she lived for God and shared with others the same kind of love and kindness of which he wished of her. She was mother to my Father Phil and Aunt Janet, with her love, support, and guidance she made those two the amazing and caring people they are today and I know she is proud of everything they have and will be continuing to do with their lives. I’m sure each and every one of you reading this who have met Joan has something to share on how my grandmother touched your life. She shared a lot of good memories. My granny was a very strong woman, that’s one quality I hope to get from her. She was also a very good adviser. I personally would seek her advice before I’d go to my parents. She was also the kind of person that would think about other people before herself. She never liked asking for help but she was always ready to lend a helping hand to others. She would do everything in her power to help other people. We may no longer see her but we’ll always have these special moments we shared with her. She will always have a special part in our hearts. Let’s just be thankful that we knew a special lady like my grandmother.
Joan and Gordon on their wedding day in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Barbara Machine: I met Joan about 43 years ago as her son and my son were in kindergarten together. Over the years our friendship grew and she became a friend who became very close to me. I spoke to her usually everyday either on the phone or I would stop by her house and we would hash over the daily news, usually politics. She would call me the minute some political news broke or I would call her-then we would decide how we could intervene. Sometimes it was funny. I miss her so much. She was a friend I could confide in and we enjoyed each others company. I sum my friendship with Joan as follows: Thank you for touching my life in ways you may never have known. My riches do not lie in material worth but in having a friend like you. I thank God He brought you into my life.
Jessica Olsen: My grandmother has always been more like a second mother to us. We’ve all probably stayed in that gray house on Summer St. just as much as we’ve stayed at our own homes. Something about walking up the grass and entering that house with the smell of dinner being cooked, the news in the background and the hilarious conversations between her and Poppy, was just comforting and you felt immediately at home. I will always miss that. I lived in that house with her and poppy the first year and a half I moved back from California. Some of my favorite memories with her were just us going shopping, listening to her funny jokes and stories and laughing together. She was so witty and always had something to say. Not only did she have one of the best sense of humors, but she was so generous and caring to all her family. There was always a place to stay, a hot meal and a hug for anyone who needed it. I miss my grandmother so much, but I know she’s in a place where she no longer feels pain, and can finally be with Mom.
Alicia Volpe: My grandmother was an amazing woman. She had jokes for days and advice that could last a lifetime. I went to her for everything because I had the privilege to live only 5 minutes away. Whenever I needed information about cooking, math, college, or travelling, she would point me in the right direction. I have so many great memories of her because she was such a huge part of my life. The thing I miss the most are her hugs. She would hold me for hours if I let her, and they were so warm and loving. I used to call her my memory foam Grammy because her hugs were so comfortable and inviting. I also respected my Grammy for her strong faith in God. She stuck up for what she believed in, and taught me how to be strong in my faith and values. This incredible woman helped raise me so I felt it was my duty to take care of her when she fell ill. Her illness was a shock to all of us because Grammy had no patience for illness. She always put on such a strong face for the family and wanted to do more for others then let others help her. But when she fell ill, I wanted to be there for her, and wanted to get as much time with her as I could. As hard as it was, watching her body fade while her mind stayed sharp, I cherished every laugh, every smile, and every hug. I slept by her side, watching over her just as she had watched over me for 20 years. I miss her every day, and pray to her every night. I know she is an angel, continuing to watch over me and our family, guiding me through my struggles. I hope that I do as much good as she did, so that one day I will be able to reunite with her in heaven and receive my memory foam hugs.