Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Joan McDonald Obituary
JOAN PATRICIA MCDONALD
AVON
Joan Patricia McDonald, beloved wife of Eugene A. McDonald, devoted mother of Eugene, Jr., Mary Pat and Erica and "my favorite son-in-law" Andrew McLaughlin, died Friday, June 19, 2009 after a heroic year and a half battle with cancer. Pat was born in Elizabeth on December 9, 1947. She graduated from Good Counsel School, Newark and Mount St. Dominic's Academy in Caldwell with honors; Immaculata College, Pa. cum laude in math and teaching certifications in elementary and secondary education; Montclair State University in Montclair with honors and a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision. Of her 25 years teaching, most years were spent as a first grade teacher at Fourteenth Avenue School, Newark and four years in Avon Lake, OH. For the past 12 years, Pat worked in the Office for Teaching and Learning of the Newark Public Schools. Pat received many honors for her excellence in the classroom, including recognition by the Ohio legislature. Among Pat's many responsibilities in Teaching & Learning, she and her associates developed methods to implement elementary curricula, created summer programs, coordinated ECE for thousands of students in the arts, sciences, and history programs, Created and oversaw after school tutorial programs for the Newark Public Library. She was an active participant in N.J. Department of Education committees and workshops and served on boards of the museum and art councils thereby sharing her knowledge, gifts and mentoring with many.
She was predeceased by her parents, John J. and Joan (Long) Egan and her bothers, William and Joseph. She is survived by her siblings, Ellen Egan, Ann Losch, Peggy Fallon and brother, Jay Egan; her sisters-in-law, Janet and Pamela; her aunts & uncles, Virginia Long McDonald, John and Helen Long, and Joan Egan, as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins all of whom she loved and respected.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 4-8 p.m. Monday, June 22, at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Ocean Township. Funeral Tuesday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Elizabeth's Church, 424 Lincoln Ave, Avon. Burial will follow. Condolences may be emailed to [email protected] and will be received by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Newark Public Library Development Dept., 5 Washington St, Newark, N.J., 07102 or at www.npl.org. The McDonald Family thanks all of Pat's family and friends for their support during the past year and a half and throughout Pat's lifetime.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan McDonald
June 23, 2009
I want to send my condolences to the McDonald family during this time. Mrs. McDonald always had a kind word to say to me that's something I will never forget. She will be missed. She was a true gem.
Bryan Linington
June 23, 2009
Mary Pat and Erica,
My sincerest condolences for the loss of your Mother. May the memories you hold dear give you comfort both now and in the years to come.
Burns Family
June 23, 2009
Erica and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Yolanda Ruiz
June 22, 2009
The McDonald Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. I am truely blessed to have called Pat not only a coworker but a friend. She will be greatly missed in Newark.
Tony Motley
June 22, 2009
To the McDonald Family,
Pat McDonald was my first grade and favorite teacher! She was one of the reasons I became a teacher and eventually Principal. She has always encouraged, supported and assisted me as an administrator. As a teacher she inspired and challenged me. I will miss her deeply and will keep the family in my prayers, and thank God for allowing me to have known such a fine woman of integrity!
Tony Motley
Rekha Gandhi
June 22, 2009
Mr. McDonald, my sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of Mrs. Patricia McDonald. She was a wonderful person and a real advocate for the causes that were dear to her heart. May peace be with you.
Alexis Cooper
June 22, 2009
McDonald Family:
I pray that you be comforted during this time of grief... My thoughts and prayers are with the family... I had an opportunity to meet and work with Ms. Pat through the homework club @ NPL... She will be greatly missed but not forgotten... John 14:1 - Let not your heart be troubled...
Ashley Lay
June 22, 2009
Dear Mary Pat & Family,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Although i never knew Joan, from what I have heard from her dear friends, she was one in a million!
My Warmest Regards and Condolences
June 22, 2009
Gene and Family, God Bless you at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Lori & Mickey Daigle
Rose Holden
June 22, 2009
Gene & Family, My prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. God is with all of you and Pat will be with you always everyday as you hold her near in your heart. May the Lord comfort you and keep you in your hour of need.
Rose Holden (Center for Educational Advancement)
Nancy Vargas
June 22, 2009
Dear Gene & Family, Pat was such a fine woman and we're glad we had the honor of knowing her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. . .thank God for the wonderful memories she leaves behind. . .God bless you all. . .Alvaro & Nancy
Ellen Gilbert
June 22, 2009
The McDonald Family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Pat was a wonderful wife and mother. It was a privilege to know her.
Ellen Gilbert
June 21, 2009
To The McDonald Family,
Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. We had the pleasure of working with Patty for many years at 14th Avenue School. May God's Comfort and Peace surround you all.
Chanda(Faison) & James McCollum
Brandon Stanfill
June 21, 2009
Dear McDonald Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. I am truely blessed to have worked with, and befriend Pat. She is a wonderful person who touched the lives of many, including the childern of Newark.
Brandon Stanfill (Louise A.Spencer- NPS)
Patricia Deschenes
June 21, 2009
Dear McDonald Family,
Even though I knew Pat for only a few short years through work, she really had a great impact on me. She always had the time to spend with me to "teach" me the ins and outs of doing paperwork for my Special Olympic programs and swim program. She always greeted me with a great smile whenever I stopped by her office. Pat always made a point of making sure the children came first. I truly will miss her. My condolescences to her family.
Patricia Deschenes (Camden Elementary School- NPS )
Betty Schreitmueller Rutan
June 21, 2009
Gene and Family...My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. Betty Schreitmueller Rutan
Audrey & Tom Stiefel
June 21, 2009
Gene and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Pat was a true friend and a wonderful person, she will be forever in our hearts.
Chuck Mosseau
June 21, 2009
Gene and family... My heartfelt condolences...
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Make a Donation
in Joan McDonald's name
Memorial Events
for Joan McDonald
How to support Joan's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Joan McDonald's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
