Obituary of Brenda Jean MacDonald

MACDONALD Brenda Jean, 79 of Arisaig, passed away suddenly on November 23, 2024 in the Halifax Infirmary surrounded by loved ones.

Brenda founded Arisaig Fisheries Ltd. with her husband Eddie in 1976 and acquired Lismore Sea Products in 1985. The “Lismore” brand produced seafood products primarily of lobster and herring roe of unsurpassed quality which were featured in restaurants from Boston to Tokyo and New York to Brussels. In 1986, her husband died at the age of 43 leaving her with four children and what had become the largest private sector employer in Antigonish town or county. She assumed the role of President and CEO, fought off corporate raiders and carried on. In 1999, she merged her company with Polar Foods International and, in 2002, sold her shares in that company then retired her directorship. Known as a tenacious negotiator and her ability to spot a flaw at a thousand paces, she was also kind to the unfortunate and intensely loyal to her friends. She succeeded as a woman in a cutthroat business dominated by men but compromised nothing of her womanhood. She was quick to acknowledge the contributions to the quality of Lismore products by the many loyal fishermen who supported her business and especially of the hard working managers and employees who powered the production lines in the factory.

In retirement, Brenda was devoted to her children and grandchildren, her parish of St. Margaret of Scotland and her community of Arisaig, all of which she loved dearly. She was a founding member and director of the Peggy Scot Foundation and contributed to her parish and community in too many ways to count.

Brenda was born in Antigonish on August 15, 1945 to John Joseph Chisholm of Antigonish and Elsie Jean (nee MacKeen) of Aspen. At nine months of age, she lost her father in a tragic motor vehicle accident that also claimed the life of his best friend, Sandy MacDougall. Her mother later married Donald Ross and Brenda was raised with them in Antigonish, graduating from Antigonish High School. Fiercely competitive, she played many sports including badminton, volleyball and basketball. She played on “The Scots” historic team winning the Eastern Canadian Women’s Basketball Championship in 1964.

She attended Mount St. Bernard College, earning her diploma as a medical secretary and wore her graduation ring with pride for the rest of her life.

In 1966 she married John Edward (“Eddie”) MacDonald of Arisaig and had four children, all of whom survive her: Tom (Maria Chisholm), Arisaig; Pam, Arisaig; Reverend Alexander (Archdiocese of Toronto); Jay (Grant Prestedge), Vancouver. She is also survived by siblings Doug Ross (Erica), Coldstream, BC and Karen Jackson (Larry), Calgary; sisters-in-law Mary Smith (Colin), Knoydart and Judy Cameron (Alex), North Grant; brother-in-law Allan, Antigonish; grandchildren Edward, Eilidh, John, Aidan and Rebecca MacDonald and Andrew and Grace Bekkers; as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by her husband, Eddie and brother Kevin.

The family would like to thank the health professionals who cared for Brenda in the ER at St Martha’s Regional Hospital and the Cardio-thoracic ICU at the QE2 site in Halifax for exceptional care and kindness during this most difficult time.

Visitation will take place from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street, Antigonish. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Thursday in St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Arisaig, Reverend John Barry presiding and parish priest, Reverend Rowland Agomuo, in attendance. Burial in the parish cemetery.

Donations in Brenda’s memory may be made to the Parish of St. Margaret of Scotland or the Peggy Scot Foundation, http://peggyscot.com