Vida McDonald (Bennet) was born in 1903, the fourth child of seven, on a farm northwest of Carlyle, North West Territories (Saskatchewan). She received all of her schooling in the village of Carlyle. As a young lady, she began her life's work as a nurse's assistant during the terrible 1918 influenza epidemic. Vida laboured tirelessly to help the desperately sick who filled the beds in the village school. Vida also worked for a short time in the homes of "confined women." In 1921, she enrolled as a student nurse in Regina General Hospital and graduated in 1924.
In 1925, Vida married Robert McDonald. The couple subsequently moved to Weyburn where Vida accepted a position with the nursing staff at the Weyburn Hospital. Vida's and Robert's first son, David, was born in Fort Qu'Appelle.
In 1926, the family moved to North Battleford. Although Vida's official residence was North Battleford, she and her young son spent the winter in Meadow Lake where Vida was nurse-in-charge of the Red Cross Outpost Hospital. Shortly thereafter, Dr. O.M. Goodwin of North Battleford asked her to assist with surgical procedures at the Rest Haven Nursing Home that consisted of two auxiliary cottage hospital units adjacent to Notre Dame Hospital. Registered nurses were a rarity in those days. So, given Vida's reputation, it was not surprising that she would be offered the position of operating room nurse at Notre Dame Hospital, a position she held until 1934. At this point, she resigned after the birth of her third child.
Vida was not one to stand idle when things needed doing. She planned and organized the Dominion Provincial Youth Training program in 1938 and taught home nursing. She also taught the first sex education and home nursing classes at the North Battleford Collegiate Institute in 1938. These were a forerunner of today's family life education classes. It should be noted that any discussion concerning human sexuality at that time, even in a clinical setting, was not as easily accepted by school authorities and the general public as it is today. Out of the collegiate classes grew the nursing assistant's course that Vida taught from 1940 to 1942. At about this time, Vida organized the Connaught Home and School Association. She also sat on the Provincial Home and School Association's organizing committee. Importantly, she gave instruction in child care and nutrition to mothers from the early 1940s until 1950.
Vida obtained her first St. John First Aid Certificate in 1921. Almost 20 years later (1940), she enrolled again in the St. John Ambulance training course during which time she continued with her home nursing classes. In 1954, Vida, a chartered member, reorganized St. John's Ambulance. Previously, in1953, in recognition of her exemplary service, she had been awarded an honorary life membership in the Order of St. John. On May 18, 1955, Vida was greatly honoured to receive the Dignity of the Serving Sister Award of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1972, she received the Officer Award which is the third highest honour a member can receive in the Order of St John.
In 1944, the Provincial Commandant of Emergency Nursing Reserve asked Vida to organize the Blood Donor Clinics in the North West Region. Taking her youngest son, Bruce, with her until the war ended, she traveled to outlying areas to conduct these clinics. In 1940 Vida organized the first Anti-tuberculosis survey in the Battlefords area and surrounding rural municipalities. In this regard, she organized and conducted every survey until 1953. For her extraordinary service, Vida was the recipient of an honorary life membership in the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League.
In 1959, Vida organized the Civil Defence Corps in North Battleford. She attended the Provincial Defence Corps Course and returned to teach first aid, emergency and hospital measures.
Vida was a charter member of the board when the Battlefords Sheltered Workshop was established in 1966. In 1972, at the age of 69, she completed an advance course with the Workers Compensation Board and became supervisor for health and safety at the sheltered workshop.
In 1961, at the request of the government, she investigated, researched and prepared a brief on the needs of seniors. She then organized a regional conference on aging and long term illness that made the public aware of the need for Level 4 nursing care in the Battlefords. In 1969, Vida organized the first United Way (Appeal) Campaign, and later the residential blitz, with which she continued to be involved until her retirement in 1978. After serving for many years with the United Way, she was honoured with a certificate of merit. In 1975, as a member of the board of directors for the Canadian Cancer Society (Battleford Unit), Vida was instrumental in initiating the first residential blitz in the Battlefords. In June, 1979, she was presented with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of her many years of volunteer service with the Canadian Cancer Society.
Vida was proclaimed Beta Sigma Phi Lady of the Year in 1950. She was a charter member of the Battlefords Sheltered Workshop Board when it was established in 1960, made a life member of the Lions in 1968, was awarded an honorary life membership in the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association, and was greatly honoured as Citizen of the Year (with Reverend Frank Meyers of Maymont) in 1969. In addition, Gov. Gen. Roland Michener presented Vida with the Commander Sister of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. This most remarkable woman was also involved with other organizations including the Arthritis and Rheumatic Society and the Shrine Club Auxiliary, of which she was president. Vida also found time to assist with the family funeral home business.
Vida and Robert F. McDonald were married in 1925 and enjoyed a wonderful life together. They had four children - David, Elsie-May, Bob and Bruce, three granddaughters, one grandson, and one great-granddaughter.
Vida McDonald was a pioneer nurse in health care. Vida retired in 1978 after investing countless hours to improve the mental and physical health of the residents of our city. The majority of her life - some 50 years - was spent both as a leader and behind the scenes, working tirelessly to foster awareness of, improve and co-ordinate health care services for the city of North Battleford.
After a long and full life, Vida passed away on Aug. 11, 1980. She is buried with her husband in the city cemetery. On the occasion of our city's centennial, we stand in admiration of this extraordinary woman. We are thankful that we are the recipients of citizen Vida McDonald's wonderful spirit of volunteerism and selfless service to our community.
