Mary S. (McNeil) McDonald

MARY S. (McNEIL) McDONALD – of Woburn, Monday, April 2nd. Beloved wife of the late John F. McDonald. Loving mother of Kathleen M. Gangi and her husband David of Woburn, John F. McDonald and his wife Anne Marie of Methuen, and Michael S. McDonald and his wife Danise of Stoneham. Dear sister of the late Hector, Mary Ann, Mary Catherine, Mary Elizabeth, Catherine and Isabelle McNeil. Cherished “Nana” of Stephanie, Katie, Christopher, Michelle, Amanda, Raymond, and Carolyn and great-nana of Sophia, Austin, and Kayla. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Thursday, April 5th at 10 a.m. Calling hours on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Donations may be made in Mrs. McDonald’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

OBIYUARY:

Mary S. (McNeil) McDonald passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Monday morning, April 2nd after a lingering illness. The beloved wife of the late John F. McDonald she was eighty nine years of age.

Born in Christmas Island, Nova Scotia, Canada she was the daughter of Michael H. and Mary Margaret (Gillis) McNeil. She attended and graduated from school in Canada. Being one of seven children she was raised on athe family Farm on Christmas Island. She, her brother and sisters all helped out on the farm from the time they were small. They all worked from the time the roosters rose till the sun began to set, planting and harvesting. In her early twenties she had met this young man John McDonald. They dated for a bit, married and spent the next thirty one years together in Charlestown.

They brought three loving children into the world of whom they were so very proud. She had devoted herself to her family, raising her children, tending to all their needs academically and with all of their outside activities. When the family would vacation they would always return to Christmas Island and the homestead.

Sadly in 1980, Mr. McDonald passed away. Mrs McDonald then moved to Woburn where she made her home with her daughter and son in law. She remained there right up to the time of her death.

“Nana” as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren enjoyed spending time and sharing stories about her family farm days.

A very quiet lady, Mrs. McDonald always had a pulse on what was going on. A woman of strong conviction and great faith will be long remembered by those whom she loved.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. McDonald was predeceased by her siblings Hector, Mary Ann, Mary Catherine, Mary Elizabeth, Catherine and Isabelle McNeil.

She is lovingly survived by her dear daughter Kathleen M. Gangi and her husband David of Woburn, John F. McDonald and his wife Anne Marie of Methuen and Michael S. McDonald and his wife Danise of Stoneham. Loving “Nana” of Stephanie, Katie, Christopher, Michelle, Amanda, Raymond and Carolyn. “Great Nana” of Sophia, Austin and Kayla.Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Thursday, April 5th at 10 a.m. Calling hours on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Donations may be made in Mrs. McDonald’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.