Mrs. Yong Ash McDonald

Yong Ash McDonald, the wife of Palm Beach Mayor Jack McDonald, died Thursday, July 19, at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach after a yearlong bout with lung cancer. She was 58.

Always smiling, Mrs. McDonald had a self-deprecating sense of humor that endeared her to friends. "She was wonderful, funny and very caring," said friend Helene Newman.

An avid tennis player, Mrs. McDonald met her husband on the Seaview Park tennis courts while he was a town council member. They became doubles partners before marrying in Florence, Italy, in September 2000.

The McDonalds and Newman and her husband, Jesse, often traveled together, visiting Capri, Italy, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Cuba, among other destinations.

Friends said that when she found an interest, she devoted herself whole-heartedly to it. "She was determined to learn Italian and became very good at it," Mrs. Newman said. "She always made fun of herself for speaking Italian with a Korean accent."

She was born Yong Lan Kim in Seoul, South Korea, graduated from a girls high school and earned a degree in nursing from Yon Sei University in Seoul. After moving to the U.S. in 1973, she worked as a nurse.

Mrs. McDonald was the widow of Palm Beach resident Daniel Ash.

"She was the most beautiful person I have ever know," the mayor said. "She will be missed dearly but her charm, style, sparkle, warmth sense of humor and devotion will live, and I will cherish her love forever. I was privileged to have shared her life. Her support, encouragement and hard work were the backbone of my public service."

Besides her husband, she is survived by two brothers, Yong Joo Kim and Yong Il Kim of New York City; two sisters, Yong Hye Kim of New York City and Yong Hee Kim of Seoul and three stepchildren, Gloria Levin of Delray Beach and Barbara Ditzian and Lorinda Ezersky of New York City.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, attn: 19th Hole Club, 235 S. County Road, Palm Beach FL 33480 or Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach FL 33407.