Geneva McDonald

McDonald, Geneva ALBANY Geneva McDonald, 82, passed away on March 25, 2015, at Albany Memorial Hospital. The daughter of the late Clarence and Bertha (McCullough) Wilmore, Geneva was born on February 10, 1933, in Chester, S.C. She graduated from Finley High School in South Carolina and worked for a time as a nurse in both Charlotte, N.C., and in Florida. It was at that time she met and married the Rev. Wilbur McDonald and moved to the Albany area where she spent her remaining years. In her early years she was a proud and active member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and later joined Antioch Baptist Church. Geneva was a strong, caring, loving woman who would do anything for those she cared about. She had a passion for playing the lottery and enjoyed scratch-offs. She loved arts and crafts and was a wonderful cook. Geneva always had an ear to lend and provide her old-school wisdom. Although she didn't have children, she helped raise her best friend's children and loved them as if they were her own. Geneva is survived by her special niece, Bertha Booker, and host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is also survived by her best friends, Mary and her husband Jay Gibson and their children, Julius "Gerald" Gibson, Rondee "Presi" Gibson, Jennifer "Keba" (Daniel) Hoffman, and Deborah "Bora" (Demond) Baker. She was like an Auntie to Leah Blakeney, Corddarryl and Nicco Grier, Demi and Devin Baker and Gabriella Hoffman, all of whom referred to her as "Aunt GiGi." In addition to her parents, Geneva was predeceased by her ex-husband, the Rev. Wilbur McDonald; and her former in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence (Retha) Clark; her sister-in-law Ella Mae Wilmore. A celebration of Geneva's life will be held for family and close friends at a future date. Memorial donations may be made in Geneva's name to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Albany, NY 12205, or Autism Speaks, 1 East 33rd Street, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10016.