Stella M. McDONALD

1936 – 2024

Sorrow accompanies the death of Stella (Radonich) McDonald (87) on February 26th, but the memories and joys are immeasurable. She lost the battle with mesothelioma cancer and was surrounded by members of her family at home. Stella was born in Anaconda, MT, on July 30, 1936. She was the youngest of eight children born to Anthony "Tony" and Harriet (Franklin) Radonich.

Stella's father died when she was five, so she was raised by a wonderful mother, brothers, and sisters. She graduated in 1954 and was employed by the Anaconda School District as a secretary at the junior high school. She was then sought out by the FBI and worked as a stenographer in Seattle, WA, and Butte, MT. Stella met her husband, Clyde W. McDonald, in Butte and they were married in 1958. They had six children, Wayne, David, Stephen, Carolyn, Annette and Catherine. They moved to Spokane in 1966. Stella was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish where she was involved with many of the committees serving the church. Stella was employed by ADT Security Systems from 1972 to 1996 as a part-time secretary and rose to become the Area Manager. After retiring from ADT, she became the Executive Director of the Washington Burglar and Fire Alarm Association. After retiring from the association, she became the Training Director for the Electronic Security Association of Washington.

The most important thing to Stella was her family and friends; she was surrounded by them daily. For 58 years, Stella played an active role at St. Francis of Assisi parish from being the President of the Women's Club, orchestrating the Women's Tea and Fashion Show, the bazaar, the 80's Dinner, card party, coffee and donuts and being the Financial Officer and Officer of the Parish Council.. She was involved in the Red Hat Ladies club for 25 years, loved to clog and volunteered at the Civic/Fox Theaters and Bloomsday. Besides being so involved in the community, Stella always had time to attend her grandchildren's events including pole vaulting, football, soccer, track, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, band and musical concerts. Stella lived in her house for 58 years and always considered her neighbors' family. She was very passionate about politics – and boy did she know her politics! In her later years, Stella loved card making and painting rocks. Stella had a very close relationship with Frank Rose for eight years.

Stella always considered her greatest accomplishment to be her children and grandchildren; her love of family was unconditional. Stella is survived by her children Wayne (Mary Rice), David, Stephen (Su), Carolyn (Jeff) Smith, Annette (Mitch) Ingham and Catherine Roberts; her grandchildren, Alli (Chad) Peters, Gabriel McDonald, Courtney (Brandon) Drake, Nathan (Kaysha) Smith, Rachael (Anthony) Townsend, Monica Ingham, Lucas (Kate) Ingham, Zachariah (Addisen) Roberts, Elijah (Paula) Roberts and Joshua Roberts; her great-grandchildren, Beckman, Kingston, Lennox, Grayson, Elia, Stella, Saelah, triplets – Samuel, Owen and Homer; sister-in-law's Florence Radonich, Jill Larson, Carolyn Radonich and numerous nieces and nephews.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clyde and his parents, Peter and Zita McDonald, siblings and in-laws, Margaret (Ervin) Rustad, Tony (Ruth) Radonich, Pete (Helen) Radonich, Matt Radonich, Catherine (James) Davison, Tom (Sandra) Radonich, John Radonich, and sister-in-law, Darlene (William) Prendergast.

A rosary will be held on Friday, March 8th, at 5:00 pm, at St. Francis of Assisi Church (viewing will be at 4:30 pm.). A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 9th, at 11:00 am, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. A luncheon will follow. Rite of Committal will be held on Monday, March 11th, at 11:00 am, at Holy Cross Cemetery for family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Stella's honor be made to Horizon Hospice, Women's Hearth and Merry Heart Children's Camp (Portland, Oregon).