By Sesi King 

A happy visit with Isabel McDonald

 

During the early mornings or sun-setting evening walks, you can pass by the beautiful and inviting home of one of Ahkwesahsne’s gentlest ladies on McDonald Road. If you have ever met Isabel Mcdonald, you would feel as if you knew her for a lifetime.  Her calm, friendly and generous way would put you at ease immediately.  Our elders have such a wealth of information to share, which allows our readers to learn about elders’ lives to compare and realize the changes that have evolved over the years.

Here is Isabel’s story:

Isabel was born August 1,1933 to Theresa and Joe Terrance.  Her mom had eight births with 5 surviving.  Isabel was the oldest and grew up with two brothers, Michael and the late Leonard Terrance, and two sisters Mae and Marlene.  Her younger days were shared with her family, who all grew up in the village of Kana:takon.  

Isabel first went to school in St. Regis before attending the St. Regis Mohawk School.  She had continued on to Bombay and finished at grade 8.  Isabel shared with Indian Time that the best of what she had learned came from the village school in Kana:takon. At age fourteen, she began to work in Malone picking spinach and earned $4.00 a day, and after that she began working for Harry White earning .50 cents a day as a day worker. At age seventeen, Isabel went away to Lake Placid to work in the laundry and pressing department for seven years. From there she came back to the area by working in Massena, again as a shirt presser.

In the early 50’s, she met Phillip McDonald and they courted for about 3 years.  She kept feeling as if she was too young to marry, but Phillip persuaded her to share his life.  They married on April 7th, 1956 and that following August Isabel turned 23 years of age. Phillip was a farmer as well as a construction laborer, who on occasion landed a job in the surrounding communities.  

Isabel shared certain aspects of what it was like to be married.  “Marriage is very hard work! A couple has to work hard at it and put up with so much,” shared Isabel.

Although Phillip always worked, Isabel tended to the home.  They had big gardens that needed attention, strawberries to be picked, and she would go into the fields and mountains to pick berries. Everything she brought back was to be canned for the upcoming winter months.  Isabel said that during the fall time she would get some apples and those would be canned as well.  In preparation for winter, Isabel and Phillip would go shopping for groceries and include a 100 lb. bag of sugar and flour so they wouldn’t have to lug those items in the cold winter.  For their meat, they raised pigs to be butchered.

At first, early in the marriage life was rough. The wages earned were about $2.38 an hour, but they managed to get by.

“If the couple doesn’t love each other, then they won’t work at it. When a spouse isn’t loving the other then no work gets put in and they give up. Too much of this goes on today.  It has been said that a woman’s work is equivalent to three people and is for 24 hours long,” shared Isabel.

Another observation in present day is that in some cases children get forgotten and overlooked; that parents have become self-centered and have a, “Me-first mentality.”  It used to be and should still be a “Children’s-first world.”

Isabel’s enjoyment comes from cooking and baking and her hobbies include quilting and gardening. You should see her garden, not one weed and is very impressive.  Her volunteerism is a big part of her life as she shares her life with the needs of the fire department during events and at Iakhisohtha, home for the elderly. She said the faces of the residents just light right up when they get visitors or are just able to talk with someone.  Isabel has no problem at all helping people in need and she will cook up a couple of trays of biscuits and other food to take over.  

This volunteer work began when Phillip was still alive, and together they would go to the home and visit the elders.  They used to do everything together such as watch and cheer on softball (Snye Bums) games and tournaments. Together Isabel and Phillip would travel where these games took them.

In speaking of traveling, Isabel shared her experiences traveling to Wisconsin, New York City, Boston and North or South Dakota. The Kateri Circle held their conferences at various cities every year and Isabel occasionally would attend them.

“You have to take time to take care of yourself because no one else will do it for you. Each morning I get up and thank the day and food. I start with my bed exercises and proceed to do stretches in the living room.  My arthritis is going all over my body so I have to keep moving to stay flexible to prevent aches. I take glucosamine with chondroitin every day. Fish oil is also very important as well as other vitamins to help keep me healthy,” said Isabel.  Not too very long ago, Isabel also used to take her 5:30a.m walks with her friend Esther.  

One of the biggest changes she has seen recently is that of the church. “There isn’t much we can do about it really,” said Isabel.  She prays every day by herself in her home. The priest that used to be here got transferred to Aurisville.  These days, Father John comes from Massena and one from Hotel Dieu Hospital to assist when needed for funeral masses and such.  

Well, Isabel, you have discussed a highlight in your life and the inner rewards you receive from helping others.  There are still some people like you and it is nice to hear your story.  You are so proud of your plaques that you were presented and honored with in appreciation to all your dedication and giving.  You were so thrilled in seeing Kevin all dressed in his uniform when he called your name. Also from the Iakhisohtha, in your honor was a plaque. You deserve and earned all of it while you shared the feeling of how wonderful it made you feel when people acknowledged you with a hug as they thanked you.

Niawen for this interview, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting you, my friend.

 

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