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Dillard University Xavier University

Vivian McDonald Obituary

MCDONALD Vivian McDonald, a long-standing resident and business owner in New Orleans, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, November 19, 2006. Born in Grand Lake, Arkansas on October 26, 1918, she was the oldest of five children of Mack and Mazaree Inmon. After growing upon her family's working farm, Vivian graduated from Arkansas AM&N. She then married the late Malcolm McDonald and began her career as a certified dental technician alongside her husband. Their company, McDonald Dental Laboratory, operated in the uptown section of New Orleans for 62 years until it was closed in the summer of 2006. The business served dozens of dentists over that time span and provided services for hundreds of thousands of New Orleans residents. For many years, Vivian was active in the New Orleans Chapter of Links, Inc. and was a member of Central Congregational Church. Vivian is survived by her only child, Janet Hill of Great Falls, Virginia; her son-in-law, Calvin Hill also of Great Falls, Virginia; her only grandchild, Grant Hill of Orlando, Florida; her granddaughter-in-law, Tamia Hill also of Orlando, Florida; and one great-granddaughter, Myla Grace Hill. She is also survived by her brother, Mack Gilbert, of Ontario, California; her sisters, Ora Gilbert of Ontario, California and Mazari Patricia Thurmon of Baltimore, Maryland; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the Family, also Pastor, Officer and Members of Central Congregational Church and the New Orleans Chapter of Links, Inc. are invited to attend a funeral service at St. Matthew United Church of Christ, 1333 So. Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, LA. 70118 on Saturday, November 25, 2006 beginning at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon from aboved named church. Rev. Wilmer Brown, Officiating. Interment will follow at Lakelawn Park Mausoleum, 5454 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA. No Wake. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either Dillard University or Xavier University in the name of Vivian McDonald. You may sign the Guest Book on nola.com/obits GERTRUDE GEDDES WILLIS FUNERAL HOME, INC. IN CHARGE

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Published by The Times-Picayune on Nov. 24, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Vivian McDonald

16 Entries

Joi Spears

November 29, 2006

To Mrs. McDonald's family,

May memories of your beloved mother, sister, and grandmother allow you to carry on, the great work she initiated. May God bless and keep you is my prayer.

IDA DANIEL

November 28, 2006

JANET, YOUR MOTHER WAS TRULY A VIRTUROUS WOMAN.SHE WAS A PART OF MY LIFE FOR OVER 40YRS. AND I THANK GOD FOR HER.SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU AND WHEN SHE AND MY MOTHER GOT TOGETHER-USUALLY VIA THE PHONE IT WAS A "MY GRANDSON FEST"
MAY GOD WATCH OVER YOU IN THE DAYS TO COME AND MAY YOU FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT HER GENTLE SPRIT LIVES ON IN ALL WHO KNEW HER

LINDA AUGUSTINE

November 28, 2006

DEAR JANET IAM SO SORRY TO HERAR ABOUT YOUR MOTHER, SHE WAS A VERY KIND PERSON ,NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND. I REMEMBER SO MANY TIMES HOW KIND SHE WAS TO MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY. I WILL MISS SEEING HER FROM ACROSS THE STREET.SHE WOULD CALL SOMETIMES AND I WOULD CALL HER TO CHECK ON HER.THIS STREET WHERE SHE LIVED WILL NEVER BE THE SAME I WILL MISS HER SO MUCH.WE HAVE LIVED ON THIS STREET FOR MANY YEARS.I KNOW THAT SHE IS PRESENT WITH THE LORD. SHE OFTEN SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE LORD ANSWERED PRAYERS IN HER LIFE.SHE LOVED YOU AND GRANT SO MUCH I REMEMBER GRANT AS A LITTLE BOY WHEN HE CAME TO VISIT FOR THE SUMMER.

Thaïs Gay,RDH

November 27, 2006

Please accept my sympathy in the passing of your mother. I shall pray for her eternal rest.

Mercedes Stamps

November 26, 2006

To Janet and the family of Vivian McDonald-Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother.She was very dear to me,as,she and my mother (Mattie Tucker ) were good friends.
The memory of being in her home for my first "Jack and Jill" meeting has remained with me for all of these years. I saw her last and wittnesed her beautiful smile as we had a brief chat when Dillard University honored Mrs. Dent. Vivian sat with Mrs. Dent to give her support for the occasion.
You shall have my continuous prayers and support.
Mercedes Tucker Stamps

Shirley and "Twin" Judge and Lodrig

November 26, 2006

Janet and family, Wilfred "Twin" Lodrig and I were friends with your Mom and enjoyed many lunches together when she was able to get out and about. We loved her. You're in our prayers.

Bill and Rosie Robinson

November 26, 2006

Janet-We were saddened to learn of Vivian's passing.We did get to spend a few hours with her when we visited Mack in Ontario last December. Sorry we were unable to come for the services.
Your cousins

Eric Washington

November 25, 2006

Mrs. McDonald was a great and kind neighbor. My family lived right across the street from her for nearly twenty years; she employed my brother; and she welcomed me in her home on numerous occasions. She also made sure to let me know when her dear grandson, Grant, was coming to visit. Through Mrs. McDonald I struck a friendship with Grant Hill. My family here in Michigan and in Louisiana extends its heartfelt condolences to Janet, Calvin, and Grant especially. Our prayers are with you.

Roxana Morgan ( Dental Receptionist)

November 25, 2006

To Mrs. Vivian Mcdonald's Beloved Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at your time of bereavement. Mrs. McDonald was a very profound woman with a dynamic spirit and although she and I never had an opportunity to meet face to face, I am honored to have had and opportunity to learn from her as we worked over the telephone to ensure quality service for our patients as well as outstanding results with her buusiness laboratory work. She was a very special woman who I will truly miss and was very lucky to have met. With deepest symathy and love to her family and friends.

MICHAEL BROWN

November 25, 2006

YOUR MOTHER WAS VERY SPECIAL TO ME, FROM THE TIME I WAS A LITTLE BOY NO VISIT TO NEW ORLEANS WAS COMPLETE UNTIL WE WENT TO SEE "AUNT VIVIAN". SHE WOULD COOK MY FAVORITE MEAL,AND QUIZ ME ON MY LIFE. SHE NEVER FORGOT MY BIRTHDAY, OR XMAS AND SHE KEPT UP WITH ME FOR THE PAST 16 YRS. I WILL MISS HER BUT I KNOW SHE WILL BE WATCHING OVER ALL OF US WITH MY MIMI&PAPA(MINERVA&DAN) GOD BLESS
MICHAEL BROWN,LONGWOOD,FLA

STACY BROWN

November 25, 2006

Janet, you are in our prayers "Aunt Vivian"was very special to my mother and father and she was a rare jewel to us. May God bless all of you Stacy Daniel Brown ,William Brown and family Longwood ,Fla

Robert Fenelon

November 25, 2006

You have our deepest sympathy in the death of your loved one. We loved Vivian also and will deeply miss her.
We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Love,
Robert and Ann Fenelon

Lucy Algere' & Wendell Knox

November 25, 2006

Janet, Your mother was a wonderful lady. You and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Craig Sara & Craig III Moore

November 24, 2006

Mrs. McDonald was dear friend and fellow Church member at Central Congregational Church. I first met her through my Grand Aunt and Uncle, Daisy and Andrew Young, when I first moved to New Orleans over 30 years ago. I worked in New Orleans the summer before I graduated from Ga. Tech. I stayed at Daisy's house that summer along with my good friend, Nick Hood. One day Mrs. McDonald and Malcolm invited us all over for dinner. I remember the warm hospitality and the wonderful meal she prepared. To an enginering student acustomed to cafeteria food, it didn't take much brain power to figure out that New Orleans was the place to live. Since then, I have visited a number of times with friends and family including my wife, Sara. Each time she opened up her heart and home to us. Before we left her house, she would make sure we knew how proud she was of her daughter and grandson. We will miss her but we will never forget her and she will be with us always.

Dr. Mabel Blache

November 24, 2006

Mrs.Mcdonald was truly an icon; she was loved and will never be forgotten; a grand lady and the epitome of the consummate dental laboratory technician; rest well in the arms of our Lord.

Kimberly Hudson

November 24, 2006

Vivan McDonald was a wonderful and regal woman. She brought joy to all those whom she encountered. She shared her wisdom and history in an effort to assist us all with a formula for success. She was generous, kind and possessed a great sense of humor. She will be deeply missed. We love you so very much. We'll meet you on the other side. Love The Hudson Family

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