SHIRLEY A. MACDONALD

MacDONALD, Shirley A. (Hamilton) Age 90, died on July 24, 2025. She was born in Boston, on September 13, 1934, and was the daughter of Robert E. and Yvonne M. (Royland) Hamilton. She attended Boston Public Schools, including the High School for Practical Arts. After her schooling, she married her sweetheart, Bertrand "Red" MacDonald, in February 1951. The couple started a family while her husband served in the military, living on bases in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Florida. They later returned to Massachusetts and settled in Chelmsford with their three children. Shirley and Red were married for 65 years, until Red's passing in January of 2017. Shirley worked for many years in the retail industry in Lexington and Concord. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening, and drawing. As the oldest of eight children and a natural caretaker, Shirley was a central figure in her family. She carried herself with quiet strength and grace, offering steady guidance and perspective to her family and friends who loved her. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth A. Mullen and her husband, Joseph, of Lowell; her son, David A. MacDonald of Lowell; and her sister, Geraldine E. Slater of Winchester. She was the cherished grandmother of Felicity (Smith) Chaban and her husband, Roman, David MacDonald and his wife, Vanessa, Douglas MacDonald and his wife, Jennifer, and Kristin MacDonald. She was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Evan, Anya, Leo, Abigail, Norah, and Emma; along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents; her son, Robert; her brothers, David, Leo, Allan, Paul, and Robert, Jr.; and her sister, Eileen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shirley's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a veterans' charity of your choice. Visiting Hours will be held on Tuesday, today, July 29, 2025, from 4pm – 7pm, at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. Her Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. Interment to follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. For directions and additional information, please visit chelmsfordfuneralhome.com and find us on Facebook.

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