Obituary
Nancy A. (O’Connell) McDonald, 79 of The Villages, FL passed away October, 25, 2018 at Ocala Regional Hospital. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, William (Bill) McDonald, her daughters Colleen O’Clair, Pamela McCabe and her husband Douglas, Joanne McDonald, her son Brian McDonald and his wife Paula. Nancy also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Nancy was born in Dighton, MA, September 16, 1939. She grew up in Attleboro, MA. Her passions included music, reading, and Nursing. She always reminisced about her singing in her high school a-cappella chorus, and how much joy it brought to her.
Nancy spent several years caring for others as a home health aid specializing in hospice care. She was able to genuinely connect with her patients and help them through their last days, by making them feel comforted and loved.
Nancy’s greatest joy was her children, and in her later years her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She gave her family the gift of music, and compassion for others. She will be missed immensely.
I will miss you Mom.
I was one of the lucky ones who got to share so many sit down meals at the McDonald home. Mrs McDonald would always treat me with kindness, sincerity and regardless of her rules, she was a genuine woman, the kind you don't see much of today. She was classy, traditional, yet so much fun. She always wanted everyone to get involved doing something fun.
Which brings me to the beloved memory of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald convincing my rather gullible self, (In my defense, I was 8yo) that they had a pet fire breathing dragon living in their basement. If you can picture a scene out of the Christmas story, that was us. Every week or so it seemed, we would all be sitting for dinner and I would hear that sound down in the basement, Mrs. McDonald, with her extremely convincing face, would tell me stories about the dragon, along with Mr. McDonald, as I sat there in awe, thinking these are the coolest people ever, Mrs McDonald would prepare the leftovers for me to give to the dragon at the top of the stairs but for my safety, I was never allowed downstairs. This of course was the topic for many fun conversations for years to come.
Whenever I was at her home, I was family. She never forgot to include me in anything, whether it was a coat for going outside, a snack, a movie, Christmas, it didn't matter and when I saw her 20 years later, she greeted me with the same kindness, the same genuine love that she had for me as a child. I can honestly say, I will have a little hole in my heart knowing she is no longer here among us but I feel so very fortunate to have known her. And to add one more thing, she talked me into eating her fresh caught fish that she battered and cooked. I never liked to eat fish. But I decided to trust her and it was the absolute BEST!! Nothing compares to her touch, I have not eaten fish since, I have tried but nothing came close. Thank YOU Mrs. McDonald for giving me so many wonderful childhood memories; there are so many, I could be writing all night. So I will end this with saying, "OMG there is a bear in the bushes", until we meet again. Love you very much. Laureen
2016
My Mother
My Maid of Honor
My heart is heavy
I am so thankful to have had you as my mom. I’ll miss you and I’ll see you when it’s time for me to get my wings.