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Malcolm McDONALD Obituary

Age 85, of St. Paul Passed away peacefully under hospice care at Sholom East midafternoon on August 25, 2022. Malcolm was a family man and a heartbeat of St. Paul's philanthropy. Happy to be in the background, his life was a quiet celebration of service to others. A friend, mentor, and confidant to many a Minnesotan looking to improve their community, his was a steady hand at the helm focused on our community's youth and their futures. Malcolm was an active and devoted half-century long parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, where a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 8th at 10am (60 N. Kent St., St. Paul). A reception with light fare will follow from Noon to 2pm at St. Paul College (235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul). Interment will be at St. John the Evangelist Columbarium alongside his deceased wives. In his youth Malcolm attended Blake School. He graduated magna cum laude with Baccalaureate of Arts from Yale College in 1958, and completed an MBA at Harvard University in 1960. Malcolm then led a successful career first as a Vice President for First National Bank of St. Paul and then as a Director and Trustee for Space Center Inc. At passing Malcolm was the Executive Secretary of the Informal Club, and treasurer for both the friends of Fort Snelling and Yale oriented Bulldogs on the Lakes. He was also an active Emeriti of the Amherst Wilder Foundation, Minnesota State Fair Foundation, and Minnesota State Board of Investment Advisory Council. Malcolm had served on the boards of a variety of local philanthropies and civic organizations, examples include the Grotto Foundation, Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence, Starbase Minnesota, Minnesota Council of Churches Foundation, Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services, F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Afton Press, Blake School Alumni Board, and several Yale related organizations. Throughout his life he also remained active politically with a focus on voter participation. Up to his last, Malcolm cared deeply about the St. Paul College and Way to Grow of Minneapolis. Malcolm's greatest hope was for every young person to have a fulfilling life. In 1959, Malcolm married Judith Ballard. She was a dedicated public servant and board member of People Inc, where she worked to improve care for people with mental health issues. Judy passed in 2003. In 2005, Malcolm married Patricia Johnston, founder of Johnston Publishing, and co-founder of the Afton Historical Society Press in 1993 with Duncan McMillan. Patricia passed away in 2018. Malcolm was a loving son, preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm B. and Ruth V. Stees McDonald, and younger brother George. Malcolm's surviving younger sister Helen, a twin to George, lovingly referred to Malcolm as the best big brother ever. Malcolm is also survived by his and wife Judith's children, Malcolm Scott (Elizabeth Bley), Margaret, Philip, Scott's and wife Elizabeth's daughter Mackenzie, and Philip's late former wife Amanda's daughter Camile. In lieu of flowers, donations to the McDonald-Stees Scholarship at the Friends of Saint Paul College are appreciated. (235 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102 or https://www.saintpaul.edu/alumni/ malcolm-mcdonald 651-767-9333


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Published by Pioneer Press on Sep. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Malcolm McDONALD

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Claire Eckley

January 25, 2025

In the past, growing up, I remember crossing paths at St. John the Evangelist as youthful members. Upon return in 2000, we met again. Malcolm was so helpful as I learned more about St. Paul and where I could volunteer and become a member oof the community. Often, we spoke about Dyslexia, he knew so much on the topic, and I had studied Dyslexia, taught classes, identifyling, and assisting the students to do well, trained teachers how to work with the students in their classrooms, and had a school for these students that arrived failing and within a year they progressed from 1 to 6 years in 1 school year. Malcolm understood.
We will all miss Malcolm, his inspiring conversations, and his understanding.

Kristen Hoeschler O'Brien

December 12, 2023

Malcolm was an amazing man and community supporter. I am motivated by his mentoring and dedication to causes.

Tim Roeser

August 29, 2023

My condolences to Malcolm's family. I will always treasure the times we shared and the kind man he was. He will always hold a special place in my heart!

Kristen Hoeschler O'Brien

March 3, 2023

I'm sorry I missed this when it was first published. Malcolm was a fun guy to talk to (handed me a book of jokes or sayings when I moved back to MN in 2000) and he was always very encouraging. He and my dad and FIL are probably having some good conversations. Ave atque vale.

Frank Bennett

November 29, 2022

Malcolm was a trusted advisor, friend, mentor, and indefatigable optimist. He had a passion and belief that every child should have the opportunity to grow and learn, then worked for decades to make it happen. I kept learning from him during our 40-year friendship. I miss his smile and twinkling eyes. RIP good friend

Mark Scally

November 17, 2022

I'm so sorry to hear about his death. He and I were on a board dealing with early childhood learning, ultimately called MnBel, MN Business for Early Learning. He was a very interesting person and I enjoyed being with him.

Heartfelt Condolences Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

The Way to Grow Staff

Sent Flowers

John Villerius

October 7, 2022

Included in the long list of his service to public organizations, Malcolm generously offered his wisdom and expertise to the Hennepin County Office of Budget and Finance as a volunteer member of its investment advisory committee for 35 years, beginning in 1987, until his passing. We remember his service with gratitude.

Julie Baker

October 5, 2022

I am sorry for your loss. Malcolm and I served together on the board of Way to Grow. He was so passionate about early learning and making sure all kids were ready for school. I have thought of him often since I left the board. He was a wonderful man who made a real contribution.

Steve and Terri Ernest

September 28, 2022

So sorry for your loss. We only met your father once, but he was very kind to us and was a very nice man. Very down to earth and easy to know. Just like his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Betty. Our sincere condolences, Steve an Terri Ernest

David Bergerson

September 13, 2022

Malcolm was a real altruist and a unique combination of extraordinary intelligence, judgment and decency. We were next door neighbors in early youth and overlapped by one year at Yale, but I lost track of him until about five years ago, since when our regular, wide ranging telephone conversations added greatly to my worldview. I will miss you Malcolm but the community will miss you even more. David Bergerson

Burt Cohen

September 12, 2022

We chatted daily. I will miss this remarkable man.

Susan Heegaard

September 11, 2022

Malcolm was a special, interesting, smart and generous person. Our family connection goes back to when my parents and he were high school classmates and my grandma was his god mother. Rest In Peace Malcolm. You made a difference.

Rachael Scherer

September 11, 2022

Malcolm was one of Scherer Bros Lumber´s first independent directors. He provided invaluable advice and mentored the next generation of owners. He was also the last non-family member to speak with our father, Roger, before he passed away August 14th. Both of them mentally still on top of their game. They were dear dear friends and I can´t help but smile thinking of them together again. My condolences to the family and may he rest in eternal peace.

Curt Johnson

September 10, 2022

Our paths crossed many times. And I never left Malcolm without learning something important.

Edward Kale

September 9, 2022

It was such a pleasure to work with Malcolm, a Harvard man working with the Yale Alumni Association, always pleasant and dedicated to "that other university" as well as (presumably) his own. He will be missed. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace. Amen

John Burr Lennes, Jr.

September 4, 2022

Malcolm was and remains a great friend, and a trusted advisor. He never forced his opinions on others, at least not me, but graciously shared them when asked. They were invariably wise, valuable and unique. I will miss him greatly, and I am not alone in that respect. In a world where accolades are often loosely tossed about, Malcolm was the real deal, a fine man, an exemplary man -- the sort of person we all should aspire to emulate. Thank you Malcolm.

Bill Levin

September 4, 2022

To the family. I can't recall a time in my adult life when I didn't know Malcolm. I always appreciated his perceptive calm. Whenever he began to speak to a group, people gave him full quiet attention; everyone anticipated he would know just how to frame an issue. Thank you, Malcolm!

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