Nancy McDonald

1943 - 2022

Nancy McDonald
February 6, 2022
Nampa, Idaho - Nancy Jane Clark McDonald, 78, beloved wife, mother and educator, passed away on February 6, 2022 due to breast cancer. Born on February 9, 1943 in Pocatello, Idaho to Melvin and Margary Clark, Nancy was reared and educated in Pocatello. She graduated from Pocatello High School in 1961 and then enrolled at Idaho State University, receiving a BA in Elementary Education in June 1967. From an early age Nancy held a natural rapport with children and knew she wanted to become an elementary school teacher. In 1973 she began teaching at the Initiative Kindergarten in Nampa, an educational institution she eventually acquired and ran until the summer of 2009. The Initiative Learning Center was one of Nancy's greatest joys where she cherished her students and fellow teachers.
She married her husband James Brent McDonald on June 26, 1965 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Together, they raised their six children in Nampa at their home on 11th Avenue. Family meant everything to Nancy and through her life she prioritized them. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, keeping in touch with her numerous nieces and nephews, lending a listening ear, and serving as host for family gatherings, weddings, and other special occasions.
Nancy exemplified a quiet discipleship in her daily faith and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her calling as Ward and Stake Cultural Arts Director planning and directing multiple road shows and celebratory events. An avid supporter of the scouting program she volunteered as a Den Mother and Pack Leader, and helped organize Cub Scout Day Camps. Nancy loved the Christmas holiday, both for its celebration of the Christ-child as well as its spirit of gift-giving – her home during the holiday reflected these ideals. She consistently opened her home to those in need of nourishment, in pursuit of lifelong dreams, and in search of love and acceptance.
Nancy is survived by her six children: Shelley Thomas (Shannon) of Nampa; Stacy Hamilton (Troy) of Boise; Dylan McDonald (Nora Brown) of Las Cruces, NM; Cade McDonald of Koosharem, UT; Brady McDonald (Mindy) of Koosharem, UT; and Maren Luekenga (T.J.) of Hurricane, UT; 16 grandchildren; her siblings: Robert Clark (Virginia) of San Jose, CA; Judy Bull (Michael) of St. George, UT; and Dale Clark (Vicky) of San Jose, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Brent McDonald and her parents Melvin and Margary Clark.
Per Nancy's wishes, a graveside service for family and close friends will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19 at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens (15862 Indiana Ave, Caldwell, Idaho). A community celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Nampa Civic Center – Calliope Garden (311 3rd Street South, Nampa, Idaho). Please save the date.
For a more comprehensive obituary, please visit www.zeyerfuneralchapel.com.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation in Nancy's name be made to the Nampa Public Library Foundation to support the library's new bookmobile. Donations can be mailed to the Nampa Public Library Foundation (215 12th Ave So, Nampa, ID 83651), dropped off to the library during open hours, or submitted at https://nampa-public-library-foundation-inc.square.site. Please note "In memory of Nancy McDonald" with your donation.