Velma E. MacDonald

Velma MacDonald Obituary

ALBION -- Velma E. MacDonald passed away Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006, after a brief illness.

She was born to Clyde and Manilla Shorey on Sept. 30, 1921, in Unity.

Velma was a graduate of Unity High School, class of 1937.

Velma (Shorey) MacDonald, known to some as "Tiny," married Allan MacDonald in 1937. Together they had nine children, Norman, Roberta, Sheila, Rose, Susan, James, Sandra, Sharon and Kathy.

Velma raised her children and worked various jobs until her husband died of cancer at age 54.

After her husband's death, Velma worked outside the home to make the best possible life for her family. Velma happily made her home for the past 17 years with her youngest daughter, Kathy (MacDonald) O'Clair, and her husband Percy and their three daughters, Monica, Bridgett and Megan, traveling and living in various places with them while Percy was in the Army. Velma never remarried in the 35 years after her husband's death, stating she was content with what she had.

Velma, one of 15 siblings, was close and wrote often to her sister, Maxine, of Rhode Island. Velma enjoyed spending time at home with family, knitting, reading and listening to music, especially polka music, which she was introduced to while living in Germany.

Velma was predeceased by her husband, Allan; her son, Norman MacDonald; and her daughters, Roberta (MacDonald) Tobey and Sharon (MacDonald) Grove.

She will be sadly missed by her daughters, Sheila Leighton and her husband, Sonny, Rose Stoutamyer and her husband, Bob, Susan MacArthur and her husband, Hugh, Sandra Flye and her husband, Dean, and Kathy O'Clair and her husband, Percy, and her son, James "Buddy" MacDonald and wife, Kay. Velma also left behind 29 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

There will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Pond Cemetery in Unity.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be expressed at: http://www.lawrybrothers.com

Arrangements are with Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield; (800) 660-2111.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morning Sentinel on Aug. 5, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Velma MacDonald

4 Entries

candy (MacDonald) Cress

August 6, 2006

you will be sadly missed by everyone grammy you were loved by all of us so very much and it will not be the same without you.You are safe in god's hands now but know that we will always love you and we will never forget you will live on in our hearts and our thoughts everyday.

Georgette Gagnon(MacArthur)

August 5, 2006

I want to send my love and condolences to everyone in my family. We will all miss Grammy so much. I hope we can all remember how much she loved each and every one of us. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Gigi

(Susie's daughter)

Georgette Gagnon(Mac Arthur)

August 5, 2006

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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