Nancy Mcdonald

Nancy May McDonald, 67 years old, was called to be with the Lord on February 21, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Dr. Thomas Roush McDonald, her father, Mr. Roger May and her in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. David McDonald. She is survived by her children, T.R. (Christy) McDonald, Jonathan (Cheresa) McDonald, both of Orlando, FL., her much loved grandchildren Mia and Tripp, her mother, Mary "Markie" May and her sisters Valerie (Rick) Steinau of Cincinnati, OH, Shelley (Roger) Rittenhouse of Pleasanton, CA, Laurie (Matt) Bell of Lathrup Village, MI, in-laws, Dr. David (Linda) McDonald of Medina, OH, Kay (Jim) Archer of Keatsville, MO, and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends who will all miss her dearly.

Nancy was born in Circleville, Ohio on January 20, 1950 to parents Mary and Roger May. She attended Monticello College in Godfrey, IL and graduated from Ohio State University in 1972 with a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. In 1972 she married Dr. Thomas R. McDonald and moved to Orlando in 1973 as Tom began a two year commitment to the Navy as a dentist.

Nancy's heart has always belonged to her two sons, T.R. and Jon. She was a wonderful mother whose dedication to and love for her sons never wavered, from cheering them on at Little League baseball games when they were small, to embracing their wives and grandchildren with open arms.

Nancy was an extraordinary and creative educator. As a preschool teacher in Winter Park she saw a need for a quality preschool in her community. She solicited donations and worked with St. Stephens Presbyterian Church to begin a preschool where many of the neighborhood kids attended and formed lifelong friendships. The school became a cornerstone of early childhood education, fulfilling Nancy's dream of allowing children to grow and become confident creators and learners at their own pace.

Nancy always kept her faith as a center of her life and that of her family. She served as a deacon for the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Orlando and was an integral part of the flower ministry. She took great joy in the activities of her church family.

Over the years Nancy was involved in many organizations, such as 4-H, Junior Sorosis of Orlando-Junior Women's Club, the Presbyterian Church, American Cancer Society Fund Raising, and spent countless hours volunteering for the community. She loved playing bridge and golf and was a long-time member of Rio Pinar Country Club.

Nancy was a steadfast friend to all she knew. Those around her now borrow a quote from another cancer warrior, the late Stuart Scott: "When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner which you live." Nancy beat cancer. Not physically, but mentally and spiritually. We honor her life and mourn her death.

Sincere thanks are given to Dr. Phillip Dunn, MD and to Lauren Covelli Sharon for their extraordinary care and concern over the last two years.

Visitation will be at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, 2811 East Curry Ford Road, Friday, February 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 106 E Church Street, Orlando, February 25 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, or the American Cancer Society.

Visitation

Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home
2811 Curry Ford Road
Orlando, FL  32806
Friday, February 24, 2017
6:00pm-8:00pm

Service

Funeral Service

First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
106 E. Church Street
Orlando, FL  32801
Saturday, February 25, 2017
11:00am

Cemetery

Palm Cemetery
1005 N. New York Avenue
Winter Park, FL  32789

Memorial Contributions

First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
106 E. Church Street
Orlando, FL  32801

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718
Oklahoma City, OK  73123