Obituary for Florence Ella McDonald
Florence Ella McDonald, 80,
of 151 Country Club Rd., Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 7,
2010, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Florence was born May 15, 1930 and raised in
Montreal, Wis., daughter of the late W. Howard and Ella (Egan) McDonell. She was
a proud graduate of J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, Wis., Class of
1948, attended Michigan State University, and graduated from the Milwaukee
County School of Nursing in 1952 as a registered nurse.
She began her nursing career in Milwaukee,
continuing in Detroit and then Grand View Hospital in Ironwood for several
years. While rearing her children, she remained active volunteering in many
community health related activities. She was a gentle and loving caregiver to
many neighbors, friends and family members throughout her adult life. She was
also a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, the Ironwood
Women's Club, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, her church circle and the parent
association of the Ironwood Catholic Schools. She was a leader of her children's
Boy and Girl Scout clubs.
Florence's greatest joy was being with her
family, most especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home
was always filled with children, related or not, and it became a gathering spot
for many memorable holiday celebrations. Her door was always open, and she
especially enjoyed visits from her relatives and close friends.
Florence had a great love and appreciation for
music. She was a beautiful pianist, and it was a joyful blessing to her family
that she was able to play until her final days. She enjoyed gardening, knitting,
sewing and crafting. She also loved to travel with her husband, getting to all
four corners of the United States. She especially enjoyed her 50th wedding
anniversary trip to Ireland and Scotland.
Florence is survived by her beloved husband of
58 years, David E. McDonald Sr., and her eight children, David E. (Georgia)
McDonald Jr., Mimi (George) Kuklenski, Mark McDonald (Sallie), and Megan (Tim)
Kolesar, all of Ironwood, Patty (Dan) VanderVelden, Kimberly, Wis., Mary (Tom) Simpson, Charlotte, N.C., Jeanie (Tod)
Lewis, Shawano, Wis., and Jon (Megan) McDonald, Oakland, Calif.; 18
grandchidren, Tripp (Stephanie) and Drew McDonald, Kelly (Brian) Paul, Scott and
Jennifer Kuklenski, Tim and Maighlin Kolesar, Bridgette and Aaron
Holtz, Danielle and Brecken VanderVelden, Elizabeth, Alec and Claire Simpson,
Erik, Ian and Addison Lewis, and Owen McDonald; two great-grandchildren, Alex
and Jenna Paul; two sisters, Virginia Doyle and Miriam Conley; two
sisters-in-law, Eleanore McDonell and Shirley McDonald; and many nieces and
nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death
by her brother, Dr. Timothy McDonell; brothers-in-law, Edward Conley, George
Doyle, Angus John McDonald, William B. McDonald and Joseph Boyle;
sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Boyle and Geraldine McDonald; and nephews Timothy
Conley and Brian Doyle.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on
Monday, Sept. 13, in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Church,
followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. The Rev. Darryl J. Pepin will
be the celebrant.
Pallbearers will be Florence's
grandsons.
A luncheon reception will be held at
Tacconelli's in downtown Ironwood immediately following the
service.
Rite of Committal and private interment will
be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
the Florence E. McDonald Nursing Scholarship Fund, in care of the Gogebic
Community College Foundation, E4946 Jackson Rd., Ironwood, Mich.
49938.
To view Florence's obituary online, sign the
guestbook and express condolences, visit
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood.
Florence will be deeply missed by all who
loved her. Her family would like to extend their appreciation and thanks for the
compassionate care and love shown to Florence by Caring Caregivers, Caring Home
Health, and most recently, Regional Hospice.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE
HOLLOW OF HIS HAND.
of 151 Country Club Rd., Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 7,
2010, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Florence was born May 15, 1930 and raised in
Montreal, Wis., daughter of the late W. Howard and Ella (Egan) McDonell. She was
a proud graduate of J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, Wis., Class of
1948, attended Michigan State University, and graduated from the Milwaukee
County School of Nursing in 1952 as a registered nurse.
She began her nursing career in Milwaukee,
continuing in Detroit and then Grand View Hospital in Ironwood for several
years. While rearing her children, she remained active volunteering in many
community health related activities. She was a gentle and loving caregiver to
many neighbors, friends and family members throughout her adult life. She was
also a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, the Ironwood
Women's Club, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, her church circle and the parent
association of the Ironwood Catholic Schools. She was a leader of her children's
Boy and Girl Scout clubs.
Florence's greatest joy was being with her
family, most especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home
was always filled with children, related or not, and it became a gathering spot
for many memorable holiday celebrations. Her door was always open, and she
especially enjoyed visits from her relatives and close friends.
Florence had a great love and appreciation for
music. She was a beautiful pianist, and it was a joyful blessing to her family
that she was able to play until her final days. She enjoyed gardening, knitting,
sewing and crafting. She also loved to travel with her husband, getting to all
four corners of the United States. She especially enjoyed her 50th wedding
anniversary trip to Ireland and Scotland.
Florence is survived by her beloved husband of
58 years, David E. McDonald Sr., and her eight children, David E. (Georgia)
McDonald Jr., Mimi (George) Kuklenski, Mark McDonald (Sallie), and Megan (Tim)
Kolesar, all of Ironwood, Patty (Dan) VanderVelden, Kimberly, Wis., Mary (Tom) Simpson, Charlotte, N.C., Jeanie (Tod)
Lewis, Shawano, Wis., and Jon (Megan) McDonald, Oakland, Calif.; 18
grandchidren, Tripp (Stephanie) and Drew McDonald, Kelly (Brian) Paul, Scott and
Jennifer Kuklenski, Tim and Maighlin Kolesar, Bridgette and Aaron
Holtz, Danielle and Brecken VanderVelden, Elizabeth, Alec and Claire Simpson,
Erik, Ian and Addison Lewis, and Owen McDonald; two great-grandchildren, Alex
and Jenna Paul; two sisters, Virginia Doyle and Miriam Conley; two
sisters-in-law, Eleanore McDonell and Shirley McDonald; and many nieces and
nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death
by her brother, Dr. Timothy McDonell; brothers-in-law, Edward Conley, George
Doyle, Angus John McDonald, William B. McDonald and Joseph Boyle;
sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Boyle and Geraldine McDonald; and nephews Timothy
Conley and Brian Doyle.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on
Monday, Sept. 13, in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Church,
followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. The Rev. Darryl J. Pepin will
be the celebrant.
Pallbearers will be Florence's
grandsons.
A luncheon reception will be held at
Tacconelli's in downtown Ironwood immediately following the
service.
Rite of Committal and private interment will
be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
the Florence E. McDonald Nursing Scholarship Fund, in care of the Gogebic
Community College Foundation, E4946 Jackson Rd., Ironwood, Mich.
49938.
To view Florence's obituary online, sign the
guestbook and express condolences, visit
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood.
Florence will be deeply missed by all who
loved her. Her family would like to extend their appreciation and thanks for the
compassionate care and love shown to Florence by Caring Caregivers, Caring Home
Health, and most recently, Regional Hospice.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE
HOLLOW OF HIS HAND.