An Edmonton couple — with business, volunteer and family ties to the community — was killed after a crash involving an alleged impaired driver just over a week ago while out for a leisurely motorcycle ride in Strathcona County.
Jim Macdonald, 68, and Annie Macdonald, 63, were both born and raised in Edmonton. Jim worked at MacEwan University while Annie worked as a civil servant for the provincial government.
READ MORE: Impaired driving charges laid in double fatal motorcycle collision east of Edmonton
The couple lived in the Mill Woods area, where they raised their three children, Breigh Cohen, Kyle Macdonald and Chase Macdonald. The pair had seven grandchildren.
Cohen said her dad was a longtime member of the Rotary Club and the Downtown Business Association. He previously owned and operated Mike’s News.
“They weren’t just seniors. They were active. They were passionate about skiing. They did wind surfing. They were always seeking an adventure, riding 20 kilometres across town on their bicycles to come visit their grandchildren,” Cohen said on Monday morning while visiting the crash site with her brother and sister-in-law.
“They described each other as soulmates and anyone who knew them, knew them together.”
The family set up a roadside memorial with flowers, photos, a hockey stick and basketballs.
“They can’t be replaced. They gave us such love and guidance and none of their family knows what to do without them. We don’t know how to go on. All of us called them every day and asked them for advice or to talk to them,” Cohen said.
“Our world has been shattered by something so violent and so senseless.”
The collision happened at noon Sunday, Aug. 14, between Range Road 231 and Range Road 232 on Highway 628, which turns into Whitemud Drive at the nearby Anthony Henday Drive interchange.
Taylor Yaremchuk, 29, of Sherwood Park, Alta., has been charged with two counts of impaired operation causing death, impaired driving and possession of an illegal substance.
According to court documents, the substance was cocaine and he is accused of having a blood alcohol content over 0.08 per cent.
The Macdonald family has set up an online fundraiser with donations going to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada).
“They would want to help. That’s what they would have wanted to do,” Cohen said. “They loved to help and they loved to help those in need.”
A celebration of life is being held for for Jim and Annie Macdonald on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m., in the Robbins Health Learning Centre at MacEwan University. Cohen said anyone who knew her parents is welcome to attend.