Remembering Edna Donaldson
Edna Sybil Donaldson (nee Hay) was born on 10 December 1917 in Stakeford. On the day she was born newspapers reported the Great War which was raging, and people were encouraged to buy National war bonds. King George V was on the throne and David Lloyd George was prime minister.
In 1940, at the age of 23, Edna was granted qualified teacher status, teaching at what is now Broomhill First School, which is where she met Walter Brown Donaldson, her future husband, who was headmaster at the school.
Edna and Walter were married on 31 July 1950 at Alnmouth Methodist Chapel. They spent their entire married life living at Eastgarth Avenue. They both continued to teach at Broomhill school until July 1965, when they retired. Walter and Edna had no children, but were very close to their great-nephew John Alcock, and his wife, Jennifer and their daughters Allison and Annelise.
Sadly in January 1982 Walter passed away at home.
Edna filled her life with family and friends, and was also a faithful member of St Mark’s URC. She cared about and was interested in others. She would walk for miles around Amble each day and was often seen keeping her garden well tended.
By May 2019, she was starting to struggle because of her sight. She was persuaded to go into Heatherdale for respite care, which eventually became permanent care.
In January Edna caught Covid and was very ill, but seemed to recover. Sadly, she was admitted to hospital on February 13 and the amazing lady, with the beautiful smile, passed away peacefully on the morning of 16 February 2024.
