This year, the Chestico Museum & Historical Society was pleased to honour Anne and Jackie MacDonald as our Chestico Couple.
Anne grew up in Harbourview. She was the third of ten children born to Sadie (MacIsaac) and Hughie MacInnis. After attending St. Peter’s Convent School and Port Hood Academy, Anne went on to graduate from the Provincial Normal College in Truro in 1957. Her first teaching position was at the Mabou Harbour School.
Jackie was the second of three children born to Lizzie (Gillis) and Dan J. MacDonald. He grew up in Little Judique Ponds where he received his early education before moving on to the Judique High School. In January of 1956, Jackie went to work as a checker for the Canadian National Railroad (CNR) in Halifax. He returned home in the summer to lobster fish. For the next seventeen years, with the exception of a few months working on a survey crew in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Jackie split his time between the CNR in Halifax and the lobster fishery back home.
Anne and Jackie knew each other throughout their early years. They often attended the same local dances and gradually a mere acquaintance merged into a friendship that deepened into something more.
Wedding bells rang for Anne and Jackie on July 4, 1959. They were married in St. Peter’s Church, Port Hood by Father Allan MacAdam. Following their marriage, Anne and Jackie lived briefly in Little Judique before moving to Halifax. In 1965, they moved permanently to Port Hood. Anne taught at the Port Hood Consolidated School and Jackie fished out of Little Judique Harbour. Over the years their family grew to include two girls and two boys – Debbie, Donna, Evan and Michael. Today they are also blessed with thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Anne and Jackie are both currently retired – Anne in 1994 and Jackie in 1997. However, both remain active at home and within the community. Anne is a valued member of St. Peter’s Parish Catholic Women’s League and stays busy pursuing a number of hobbies including quilting, rug hooking and gardening.
Jackie is a member of St. Peter’s Council Knights of Columbus and currently holds the office of Grand Knight. He has been a member of the Port Hood Volunteer Fire Department for the past forty-two years and retains an interest in the Ceilidh Fishermen’s Co-op of which he was the founding president. Jackie is also a skilled wood worker and has given generously of his talents to many organizations. A replica he constructed of the early type of fishing boat used in Port Hood is currently on permanent display at the Chestico Museum.
Anne and Jackie’s retirement has also afforded them the opportunity to travel to places they always dreamed of visiting. They have camped across North America, from Newfoundland to California and their children gave them the gift of a trip to England and Scotland. In 2008 they went even farther afield when they travelled to New Zealand to visit with the family of their son-in-law.
Anne and Jackie, we are pleased you accepted our invitation to be this year’s Chestico Couple. We hope you enjoyed the experience and accept our congratulations as you celebrate 50 years of married life!
