Wilma L. McDonald

Wilma L. McDonald, 91, of Phoenix, AZ , passed away July 3, 2008. Wilma
was born November 3, 1916 in Stanford, Nebraska and later moved to Peoria, AZ with her parents Clarence A. and Rhoda J. Cook in 1924, at the age of 8. She grew up on her parent's farm locat-
ed on Peoria Avenue between 51st and 59th Avenues. She attended elementary schools in Glendale and then Peoria, graduating in 1934 from Peoria High School. Wilma married Vernal E. McDonald on January 21, 1935. They had two sons, William V. McDonald of Sahuarita, AZ and Larry L. McDonald of Yuma, AZ. Wilma touched many young lives while working for many years as secretary for Peoria High School where she was known as "Mrs. Mac". She was completely devoted to her family, church, and community, which honored her in 2001 at the Peoria Pioneer Days. Wilma and Vernal were a great team, having helped found the Creighton Christian Church in Phoenix and were very active members of the First Christian Church in Glendale, where Wilma served as Treasurer for many years. Wilma assisted Vernal and others in the formation of the Waymark Garden in Glendale and they spent countless hours attending and supporting Peoria High School activities. Nothing was more important to Wilma than her large Cook and McDonald families and especially her immediate family, where she was truly a guiding light. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernal in 1984 and her brothers Raymond Cook, Cecil Cook and Robert L. Cook. She is survived by her sons and daughters in law, William V. and Diana McDonald and Larry L. and Kim McDonald as well as her grandchildren, Katherine (James) Linkey, Sam (Dawn) McDonald, Michael McDonald, Pamela McDonald, Michele Hostetler, Steve (Mandi) McDonald, Randy (Michelle) Epson; 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Services will be held Friday, July 11, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 6242 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. Arrangements by Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 6242 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301 or Hospice of the Valley, 2122 E. Highland Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85016.