It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Denise Michelle Macdonald at home with her daughter and son-in-law by her side after a 21-year battle with multiple sclerosis.

Mom was born on July 17th, 1972, in North Sydney to Catherine and Michael Johnston of Red Islands.

From an early age Mom always wanted to advocate for others before herself. She graduated with the Governor General Medal from the paralegal program at UCCB in 1994. Upon graduation she began working as a paralegal at Vince Gillis Law in Sydney, Nova Scotia. From there she went on to pursue a career as a paralegal for the Department of Labour as a workers advisor, helping many injured workers up until her MS diagnosis in 2004. Mom gave me one strict order prior to her passing: "I want a funny obituary; I don't want people being all sad!" Anyone who knew her knew this would be exactly the case. I don't want to sound cliché with the "she would light up any room she entered and she was always the life of the party" but if you knew Mom, she was. Her humour and wit will live on within everyone who surrounded her. To know her was to love her. We could go on forever, seeing as I am my mother's daughter and also received the gift of gab but she doesn't want me to ramble or praise her too highly.

She leaves behind her only daughter, Jenna MacDonald and her son-in-law, Shane Cameron (who could never do any wrong). She also leaves behind her mother, Catherine Johnston, brother, David Johnston and sister-in-law, Olivia along with their children, Cole, Morgan, Jacob, Rowan, Sadie and Anthony, of Red Islands. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. She also leaves behind her sweet self-proclaimed daughter, Tessa MacDonald and dear friend and former husband, Joey MacDonald. She is predeceased by her father, Michael Johnston; uncle, Neil Johnston; aunt, Phyllis MacDonald; her beloved grandson, Callum Cameron her maternal grandparents, Mary Jane and Johnny Dougall Campbell, of Frenchvale and paternal grandparents, Joe Neil and Sadie Johnston, of Red Islands.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation as per her wishes.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the MS Society of Canada or a charity of your choice through the Red Lake Chapel, Box 237, Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0.