Margaret Louise Mcdonald

Margaret Louise McDonald, 96, beloved mother, grandmother, and community member, suffered a brain aneurysm on Monday evening, and passed away on Tuesday night at Providence St. Mary’s Hospital. She was surrounded by her family, including her son and daughter in-law, N. Wallace and Catherine McDonald, and her granddaughters, Marya Ouro-Gbeleou (McDonald) and Anna McDonald. She is also survived by a grandson, Andy McDonald.

Margaret has many family members who have survived her, listing all of whom would be impossible (apologies to any not listed). She has two step-granddaughters, Deborah Hunsaker, and Christine Watson. She has four great-grandchildren, and 21 step-great grandchildren. Local family includes her nephew, Richard Czyhold, his wife Judy, and their children Ben, Edward, and Rebecca. Extended family includes her nieces, Margaret MacDonald, Katherine Habedank, Maria Grago, and Lisbeth Newton.
Margaret was born Margaret Czyhold to Michael and Anna Czyhold, on her parents’ farm ten miles northeast of Dixie. She was born May 10, 1921, to a full family. Her siblings were Fred, Edward, Emma, Marie, Albert, William, and Amiel Czyhold.

She was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church since her birth. She attended Dixie’s one room school house, called the Fix School, for grades K-8. Afterward she went to Walla Walla High School, graduating in 1939. Margaret married Norman McDonald on August 24, 1939, with whom she was lovingly connected until his death in 1992 (53 years). She lived for a brief period with Norman in Dayton right after her marriage, during which time she sold Avon. After they returned to Walla Walla, Margaret was employed by the Walla Walla school district, creating wonderful meals in the cafeteria. She worked there for 27 years, the last 19 of which, she was the cafeteria manager at Edison School. Everyone who knew Margaret will remember well that she created everything from scratch, and no matter what ingredients they gave her to work with, she made it taste wonderful. She also provided opportunities for students to work in the cafeteria to earn their hot meals, and many community members remember her teaching them kitchen skills during that time well.

She was known for being an active and diligent member of the church community, including the quilting group for many decades, sending countless quilts to those in need around the world. Margaret was known for humbly giving so much to so many, and for her strong faith in God. Margaret prayed for her family members every day, and offered such important advice and mentor-ship to so many. While she will be missed, her family takes comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain, and is in a better place.

The family wishes to thank the Emmanuel Lutheran Church community for its loving service and support of Margaret throughout the last years of her life, which allowed her to fulfill her wish of living independently until her last days.

Memorial Service and reception will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, at 628 Lincoln St., Walla Walla, Washington on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM.
Graveside Service will be held November 28, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens College Place, Washington.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Charity of the donor’s choice.