Heather MacDonald

Heather A. MacDonald

WORCESTER - Heather A. MacDonald, 64, of Worcester, died Monday, June 25, 2018 at her home after an illness.

She leaves her partner, Sharon (Fileccia) MacDonald; her son, Liam Thomas MacDonald who was the love of her life; a brother, John M. McDonald of Port Charlotte, Fla.; four sisters, Jeanne Elbe of Fitchburg, Kathleen Jones of Leominster, Marcy Kimbrough and her husband Bobby Joe of Temecula, Calif., and her sister in life, Iliana D'Limas and husband Mullen Sawyer of Rutland; her father and mother in-law, Thomas and Sharon Fileccia; two sisters-in-law, Laurie Kerkering and partner Sean, and Susan Ranck and her husband Michael; two brothers-in-law, Tom Fileccia and his partner Kim, and Ben Fileccia and his wife Kristen; and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. She also leaves her faithful friend Patricia Leary of Fitchburg who she loved like a sister. Her brother Kelly McDonald died April 17 and her sister Colleen McDonald died in 1965.

Heather was born in Leominster, daughter of the late A. Frank and Adrienne (Manning) McDonald. She has lived in Worcester for more than 45 years.

Heather was a graduate of St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg and Worcester State University. She earned a master's degree from the Boston College School of Social Work.

Heather had a lifelong commitment to social justice, and a deep love for and commitment to underserved and vulnerable people. She left a legacy of modeling her commitment to justice and trained dozens of others to do the same.

Heather believed deeply in the mission of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Worcester, where she worked 38 years, retiring this past spring. She supervised several Catholic Charities programs during her long career, including managing health care support services and directing the Mercy Centre for Developmental Disabilities.

Heather loved gardens, knitting, rug hooking, and the Boston Red Sox. She especially loved telling stories and making people laugh. She was a longtime member of the Emerald Club of Worcester County.

Calling hours are Thursday, June 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral service will be held Friday, June 29, at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, 10 Irving St., Worcester. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Heather's memory are suggested to Catholic Charities, 10 Hammond St., Worcester, MA 01610.