Passed away peacefully with all her children by her side on September 14, 2017 at the St. Joseph General Hospital in Elliot Lake on her 93rd birthday. Gussie was born in Norway in 1924, emigrating to Canada three years later. She was a pioneer resident of Elliot Lake settling in 1957 with her husband, Duncan, to raise their young family. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Gussie will be remembered for her larger than life personality that was always too big for her tiny frame. Gussie was a force of nature to everyone that had the privilege to know her, and was always the centre of attention and the belle of the ball. She loved nothing more than being with her family and socializing with her many friends, and she danced her way through life right up until the very end. In typical Gussie fashion, she stubbornly chose to wait for her 93rd birthday to say goodbye. Her departure leaves a silence that will never be filled.
Gussie lost the love of her life, Duncan MacDonald, in 1993, and is survived by her children Wayne MacDonald (Judy), Diane Trussler (Andy), Connie Carter (Terry), and Dayle Melis (Paul). Also survived by 11 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Elliot Lake Funeral Chapel & Cremation Centre (36 Ontario Ave) on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 1:00 pm until the commencement of service at 2:00 pm. Interment to follow at Woodlands Cemetery, Elliot Lake, followed by a luncheon at the Moose Hall. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Society or the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated by the family.