Helen MacDONALD

Helen MacDonald, age 91, died Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Spokane, Washington. Born February 26, 1934, in Chandler, Oklahoma, she was the third of four children of Sarah Marie Bell Lay and John Oliver Lay, Jr.

Helen attended Chandler High School, where she graduated in 1952. She studied for two years at the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, earning a certificate in secretarial studies. She met her husband, Roy MacDonald, in 1953 while he was stationed at Vance AFB, Enid, Oklahoma. They were married in Chandler in 1955. Helen and Roy had three sons: Curtis Dale, Steven Lee, and Leslie Alan.

Helen was a devoted wife and mother, traveling the country and overseas with her family following Roy's many duty stations during his 24 years with the US Air Force. Upon Roy's Air Force retirement, they moved their family to Hayden Lake, Idaho, where they purchased 25 acres on the Rimrock and built their permanent home to Helen's own design. Helen managed the family home and raised their boys while Roy pursued several different civilian careers. After Roy's second retirement, he and Helen traveled extensively, visiting 25 countries together.

Helen was a skilled genealogist, spending her spare time perusing public records and exploring cemeteries in search of the stories of the family that came before her. She developed an extensive network of "genie" friends all over the world and published several family history books. She volunteered with the Kootenai County Genealogical Society for many years, updating and publishing their catalog of holdings several times a year, and earning an award for her outstanding service.

Helen was predeceased by her brothers, Lynval and Robert Lay; and by her husband, Roy. She is survived by an extended family that includes her brother, John Richard Lay; her three sons; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren:

• Curt and his wife, Barbara (Hubbs) of Eagle Mountain, Utah; their daughter, Tegan Saxton and her husband, David of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

• Steve and his wife, Julie (Barter) of Spokane Valley, Washington; and their children: Jeffrey Simmons, his wife, Jillian, and their children: Aiden Barajas and Jayce Simmons, all of Birmingham, Alabama; Mistie MacDonald and her daughter, Lexi Varner of Spokane, Washington; and Shawna MacDonald of Vail, Colorado.

• Les and his wife, Mandie (Duncan) of Vancouver, Washington; and their children: Katharine "Mac" MacDonald and their spouse, Leon MacDonald of Eugene, Oregon; and Fenn MacDonald of Vancouver, Washington.

At Helen's request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, Helen suggested donations to the Kootenai County Genealogical Society. Interment will be alongside Roy at Washington State Veterans' Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington. Online condolences may be sent to www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.