Jacqueline (Jackie) MacDonald (1932-2026)

Record-holding athlete lived by her own rules

For Jackie MacDonald, Toronto-born in 1932, there were no barriers to success, only mountains to climb. She broke through glass ceilings to achieve fame as a Canadian athlete, national champion and Olympic competitor. Disciplined and strong-willed, Jackie excelled in shot put and discus, defying both limited opportunities and stereotypes of women athletes in the 1950s.

Jackie’s love of physical activity started early; she mastered acrobatics and ballet before joining a swimming and diving club. At 16, Jackie won the Ontario Junior Diving Championship. A year later, playing basketball in the Toronto Women’s Basketball League, she set a game-record of 38 points. 

Her discovery of the community library influenced Jackie’s lifelong love of books and reading. This launched her journey to becoming an independent, renaissance woman. Jackie not only embraced different cultures, languages, art and music, but also, by the age of 19, the thrill of riding her own Harley-Davidson. 

Athletic prowess

By 1953, Jackie started putting the shot (her passion) and throwing the discus. Searching for a place to train, she met with some eyebrow raising — a local gym told her, “Ladies don’t do that!” — which only made her more determined. She qualified for the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning silver in shot put and setting a new Canadian record! 

The 1955 PanAmerican Games in Mexico City were held without a women’s shot put event, leaving Jackie to concentrate on discus. Coming in fifth, she caused a sensation when a local newspaper published an article and photo of Jackie pressing a barbell entitled, ‘A Lady Who Lifts Weights.’

By the end of 1955, Jackie ranked first in shot put and third in discus in the Western Hemisphere.

Mexico left a lasting impression with its sunshine, history and culture. Jackie returned there many times, even learning Spanish. 

In 1956, Jackie placed 10th in shot put at the Olympic Games in Australia. Competing against Soviet and Eastern European athletes, who had more extensive training, was challenging. Without a coach since 1954, she practiced alone in public parks. 

Embracing adventure

The following year, Jackie took a leave from her teaching job to travel to England and Europe. In Paris, she saw her first opera; in Italy she was captivated by Florence and learned Italian. Reaching Switzerland, Jackie was invited to compete in The World Youth Games in Moscow, where she revelled in its culture. The only Canadian, she placed sixth in shot put. 

In 1958, Jackie married Bill Gelling, a University of Toronto aeronautical engineering student. That summer she competed at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Wales, winning a bronze in shot put.

Following the games, Jackie rejoined Bill, now an officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa. They had two sons, Steve in 1959 and Andy in 1961. The young family moved often with many an in-between posting back to Ottawa. 

When her boys registered with a competitive swimming club, Jackie joined a masters’ swimming group. Later, she became a member of the Ottawa Bicycle Club (OBC). In the 1985 World Masters Championship, riding in the 50 to 54 age group, she won a gold and two silver medals. Outside competitions, Jackie stayed active; she played water polo and, at 61, took up rowing.

Cardinal Glen becomes home

In the 2000s, Jackie and Bill finally settled in Cardinal Glen, quickly becoming part of the community with Jackie serving as a board member of the Cardinal Glen Community Association from 2008 to 2010 and enthusiastically joining the neighbourhood book club. 

Jackie brought her love of linguistics and attention to detail to articles she wrote for the Manor Park Chronicle and to her seven-year stint as its volunteer proofreader (2006-2013), working diligently with hard-copy printouts in the rush to press.  

Staying active and engaged

Despite frequent moves, Jackie completed a B.A. at Carleton University, a B.Ed. at uOttawa and an M.A. in Linguistics from l’Université de Montréal. 

Professionally, Jackie taught elementary school and English as a Second Language. Among her many volunteer activities, she taught English to Syrian refugees. She also drove for Meals on Wheels, mentored clients for Citizen Advocacy, coached swimming and taught evening quilting classes. 

In 2010, Jackie proudly carried the Olympic Torch in Trail, B.C. (see photo) and two years later donated the scrapbooks she kept about her athletic career to the Archives of Ontario. In her 80th year, Jackie rode in the 80+ OBC Women’s Time Trials and she continued riding her bike until she turned 87. In 2023, she published her book, Ladies Don’t Do That! Memoir of an Olympian. 

Predeceased in 2010 by her son Steve, and following a long illness, Jackie died on her own terms, peacefully taking control of her life, as she had always done.

With kind appreciation to Bill Gelling and family friend, Sandra Wickham.

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A Manor Park Notable is a snapshot of an individual (now deceased) who lived in the Manor Park area, and who made a difference either through career or community involvement. Please send suggestions for candidates or submissions to manorparknotables@gmail.com.