Bettie McDonald Obituary

Bettie Jean Smith McDonald, a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister, niece, aunt, mentor and friend, died in Hermosa Beach, CA on April 1 at the age of 77. She was a gifted musician, respected educator and a major figure who helped shape Alaska's arts landscape.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, July 6, 11 a.m., at First CME Church, 3600 MacInnes St.

Affectionately known by her students as Mrs. Mac, Bettie was born in Knoxville, TN on June 11, 1934 to Frank and Lila Smith. In 1952, she graduated from Austin High School in Knoxville, TN and earned a full scholarship to Knoxville College.

In September of 1953, Bessie, a friend of Bettie's, invited her to a sock hop to meet her "good buddy," Edward W. McDonald (Ed) a member of the transportation corps. Ed was assigned to pick up Bettie and transport her to the sock hop. The two married on July 17, 1954 and would remain so for the next 54 years.

In 1960, Ed was transferred to Elmendorf. Bettie "captured the hearts of Anchorage music lovers" and became an instant local celebrity, singing as a member and frequent soloist with the Anchorage Community Chorus, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Anchorage Opera and Alaska Festival of Music. In 1962, she opened the music department at Alaska Methodist University until 1964 when Ed was transferred out of Alaska to a series of tours that included Viet Nam.

From 1964 until 1969, the McDonald family made their home in Colorado Springs, CO. Bettie directed music at Manitou and Pikes Peak Elementary Schools and became a star attraction for local musical events with solo appearances. She said her proudest achievement was winning the national 1966 Valley Forge Teachers Medal.

In 1969, the McDonald family returned to Anchorage where once again, Bettie performed and taught. She challenged and inspired her students to be "dedicated to excellence" and "prepared for the 21st century." She was Director of Music at Orr Dee Clark Jr. High, taught music at Wendler Junior High School and served as choral instructor at East Anchorage High School. In 1973, she opened and chaired the Performing Arts Department at Bartlett High School where she founded the Bartlett Bear-A-Tones Swing Choir, directed the Concert Choir, taught Adolescent and Modern Problems, Black History, American Government, and Honors World History. At UAA, Bettie taught voice and was a Master Class Instructor.

In 1993 after 42 years of teaching, Bettie retired from the Anchorage School District and opened

Mel-O-Mac Voice Studio where she taught voice privately.

Her contributions to the State of Alaska were many. In 1976, Governor Jay Hammond appointed her to the Alaska State Council on the Arts where she served for six years and was a pioneer for the Percent for Art in Public Places statute. Bettie participated in the Bicentennial Parade of States representing Alaska at the Kennedy Center. She was requested to sing for the inaugurations of several governors including Jay Hammond, William Sheffield and Tony Knowles. In 1981, Bettie was selected as one of the soloists who performed when Pope John-Paul II conducted mass at Holy Family Cathedral during his visit to Anchorage.

One of the many traits that Bettie will be remembered for is her large, infectious and deep laugh. Most who found themselves in her presence while she was lost in laughter, would inevitably start laughing without knowing the reason why.

Bettie was a two-term member of the Anchorage Concert Association's Board of Directors, Anchorage "Mother of the Year" (1962), cited in Outstanding Young Women of America (1967), recipient of the Anchorage School District's Outstanding Service Award and recipient of the Governor's 2002 Denali Award for outstanding service.

She is survived by her four children: Roderick (Hattie) McDonald, Hermosa Beach, CA, Lauri King, Anchorage, AK, Benjamin (Kate) McDonald, Olympia, WA, and Lila McDonald, Oakland, CA; Maternal Aunt, Katherine H. Atkins, Woodbridge, VA; sister, Marion S. Taylor, Philadelphia, PA; seven grandchildren: Melody Ludlow, Malauri, Edward, and Maci King, Madison (Javier) Sola Del Vigo, Sayer and Ciel McDonald; two great grandchildren: Leah and Amanda McDonald; nephews, Eugene (Jovonsia) and Derrick Taylor, and a host of cousins, extended family, friends and colleagues.

Published by Anchorage Daily News from Jul. 3 to Jul. 4, 2012.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Bettie McDonald

Sponsored by Randall J Montbriand. Ms Mac brought music back into my life and taught me how to share it.

Not sure what to say?





Mrs. Mac challenged us all to do more than we believed we could do. She inspired me to listen to my inner chords to sing improvised harmony to almost any song, something that brought my wife and I together. I visited Mrs. Mac years later and thanked her for her encouragement. I treasure the one year she was my teacher at EAH.
Mrs. Mac, if you can hear me from above
kknow that your influences live on in many of us - me especially - and we honor you and thank you for the wonderful gifts you gave us.
Dennis Beagley
1972 EAH

July 13, 2014

Bettie McDonald is a Wonderful Teacher i have known her because i was in the Choir in School and I have watched the Bear a tone Singing in School

Lucy Odden

November 4, 2013

Bettie was fully engaged in the process of humanity in it's best form. She laughed with gusto, and was passionate about making a remarkable difference in peoples lives. She never settled for second best. She was brilliant, tough, kind, funny and sweet. I will always smile when I think of her and how good she was to me. How fortunate I was to have known her. With immeasurable respect, Frank Coleman

Frank Coleman

August 1, 2013

Celebrating a life well lived.
It is so hard to believe that you are gone! I still remember how you use to follow me everywhere I'd go when you were a child. I will always cherish those and many other memories of the times we spent together in Knoxville, Colorado Springs, Washington, DC, Virginia and Anchorage.
"I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: Yes, says the Spirit, so they may rest from their labors."

Aunt Katherine

July 6, 2012

I am so sad & wish I could be there with all of you tomorrow but I am out of state until next week. Your mom meant a lot to me & she will be missed by many. Sorry I couldn't see you, Rod ~ take care!

Georgiann Crosta

July 5, 2012

I was sad to hear of Mrs. Mac's passing but am very appreciative for the opportunity to witness greatness...

Raymond Preston

Raymond Preston

July 5, 2012

I was sad to hear about Mrs. Mac's passing. I was honored to be her teachers aide the year she retired in addition to having her as a neighbor as a kid. She will be missed!

Aimee Menne

July 4, 2012

I graduated from East High School in 1972...when I think back on those wonderful years I remember my dear choir teacher...Mrs. Mac. Her laughter filled the "music" hall on a daily basis. Her love of teaching filled the classroom on a daily basis. But most of all, her love for her "kids" filled our hearts on a daily basis. I will never forget the state music competition held in the spring of 1972...we not only "wowed" the judges with our musical ability but, in true Mrs Mac fashion, we dumped the traditional choir gowns and sang our hearts out in prom gowns & tuxedos. Forty years later and I still remember that! I know that she is leading a choir of true angelic voices now - singing praises to our Lord in Heaven. Sing on Mrs Mac....you will be missed but your memory will live on forever.

BJ Brady

July 4, 2012

As an arts writer and participant in several arts groups in Alaska, I had the privilege of enjoyiing Bettie's talent in so many musical activities in Anchorage, including Anchorage Community Chorus and Anchorage Opera. She will be missed by all.

Karen L. Lew

July 3, 2012

Mrs. Mac… a woman who's heart was as big if not bigger than her laugh. Thank you for teaching that there was always more to learn and that there was always room to strive for excellence. As a refuge in a tempest and a safe place to find yourself, even when you weren't sure you were lost. Thank you for the things you taught us, that continue to be taught by us to others.


“You were born a child of light's wonderful secret— you return to the beauty you have always been.”

May you find comfort at this time in remembering a life so important to so many.

Michelle Pilcher

July 3, 2012

Our son had the great opportunity of being one of Bettie's choir members at Bartlett High School. Her leadership and teaching skills set the stage for a life long participation in church and community choirs. Whenever we hear him singing with a group I say a silent thank you to Bettie. She was a wonderful teacher, we were blessed to know her.

Audrey Edgerton

July 3, 2012

My much admired and loved choir teacher at Orah Dee Clark, 1963. The music in heaven just took a step up. Kaye Ekstedt-Pullen

Kaye Ekstedt-Pullen

July 3, 2012

Bettie was a treasure. Those of us who lived in Anchorage during her tenure were enriched by her many musical activities. May her family and friends take solace in many warm memories of her accomplishments and the love she bestowed on them.

Sondra Dexter

July 3, 2012

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