Ethel Mae MacDonald

1938 - 2025

Ethel Mae MacDonald

March 31, 1938 - October 6, 2025

Missoula activist Ethel Mae (Cameron) MacDonald, a champion for peace, social justice and a better world for all Gods' children, died October 6, from a brain tumor. She was 87.

MacDonald, a retired high school teacher, was a fixture of Missoula's community for decades, usually showing up at events and rallies by bicycle, with her little dog in a basket and her African hand drum bulging from a backpack.

She was born March 31, 1938, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Gilbert and Minnie Cameron. She married William Z. MacDonald in 1958 and had three sons, Dave, Joe and John. The couple divorced in 1980. MacDonald received her master's degrees in English and French from the University of Montana and spent most of her teaching career in Arlee, Mont., where she taught both English and French and created lifelong friendships with numerous students.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Carol Miller; and her son, Joe. She is survived by sons, Dave (Holly) and John; grandson, Jacob (Maureen) MacDonald and great-grandchildren, Hannah and Andrew; and her dog, Lela.

An avid bicyclist, MacDonald logged tens of thousands of miles on her many bikes. Even into her 80s, MacDonald was taking lengthy, solo bike tours across France, Belgium, Germany, England, New Zealand, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and South America, most often staying at the homes of a network of fellow bicyclists she befriended over the years. In return, she hosted more than 420 bicycle adventurists at her Missoula home, offering a free room, a warm shower and a meal typically accompanied by red wine and lengthy conversation.

She was also an avid hiker and runner, participating in nearly every Missoula Marathon and other community race since 1974 and finishing the Boston Marathon in 2000 at age 62. Her Missoula home is filled with ribbons, trophies, medals and plaques. She accumulated so many marathon t-shirts that she began making them into quilts for friends and family.

But it was MacDonald's devotion to her community and social causes that made her a prominent fixture in Missoula. She was active with the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center and named "Peacemaker of the Year" by the organization in 2005. She was a longtime member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, member of Missoula's anti-war group Women in Black and a champion for women's rights, the LGBTQ+ community, open space, environmental protection, food security and affordable housing. She served on numerous community boards over the years, advocating for open space, promoting alternative transportation and developing Missoula's beautiful hiking and biking trail systems.

She established the Ethel MacDonald Charitable Foundation in 2008 for the dual purpose of helping one family at a time find affordable housing while also funding her favorite nonprofit groups. She purchased a modest second home in Missoula, rented it to a lower-income family at a reduced rate and distributed the rent money to her favorite nonprofits. In 2024 alone, her foundation donated more than $25,000. The foundation sold the home in 2025 to Front Step Community Land Trust, which will continue MacDonald's mission of renting the home to lower-income families. Proceeds from the sale will continue to be distributed through her foundation to her favorite charitable groups in perpetuity.

Friends and family plan to honor Ethel with a short bike ride on Sunday, November 16, from the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center (519 S. Higgins) to Missoula Free Cycles (732 S. First St. SW), where a celebration of her wonderful, giving life will begin at noon with drumming, dance, good food and drink and good stories. All who knew Ethel are encouraged to attend.