Annie Eliza MacDonald
Annie Elizabeth MacDonald was born on July 23, 1890 in Sheet Harbour, NS. Her employment history
included a position in the banking industry, teaching in Bermuda and then returning home in
1920 to work for a time at the Sheet Harbour Lumber Company. She followed in her father's
footsteps by selling insurance. This was the beginning of a 50 year career. Annie Eliza, as she was affectionately known, and Dr. Duncan MacMillan played a major
role in ensuring the Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital became a reality. Rumour has it that she
and Dr. MacMillan visited the local bank and personally signed a loan to secure the funds to
move the project along. Annie E. MacDonald then served as secretary of the Hospital Board for
26 years and secretary of the Sheet Harbour Consolidated School for 23 years. She was a member
of the Halifax County Library Board and was instrumental in having a Library established in Sheet
Harbour.
Annie's personal generosity is legendary. At Christmastime her nephew, Bill Henley,
remembered being asked to help her on her annual "Christmas Run". His chore was to drive her
car and was amazed at the load of turkeys, geese, ducks and vegetables she delivered to her
friends and customers all along the Eastern Shore. She and her secretary, Myrna McLellan,
would bake 30 or 40 Christmas cakes for the Christmas Run.
In 1933, Miss MacDonald organized a women's political organization that consisted of
350 members. The goal was to secure the election of her cousin, Angus L. MacDonald, as
Premier of Nova Scotia.
Miss Annie E. MacDonald is a legend along the Eastern Shore. Her name being spoken still
brings forth stories of her fierce loyalty to her insurance clients and her generosity to her
community as a whole.