Jessie Marie Mcdonald

Jessie Marie McDonald, age 82, of Elgin died August 18, 2009 at her home. A memorial service followed by a potluck will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the Elgin Community Center. Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. McDonald to the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Diabetes Association or the Elgin Community Center in care of Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

Mrs. McDonald was born on June 22, 1927, the daughter of Fonzy and Opal (Ketchum) Wilson in Elgin. On April 3, 1946 she married Terrance Lee "Terry" McDowell. He preceded her in death on September 8, 1959. On April 18, 1969 she married Howard Leland "Lee" McDonald. He preceded her in death on October 2, 2008. She had various jobs throughout her lifetime. She started out working in a bank, then waitressed. In 1957 she began working for the drug store in Elgin. After she married Lee they started the Sears Catalog Store in Elgin. She worked with Seniors through the Community Action Agency also. In 1979 she became the Veteran's Service Officer for Union County. She retired in 1989.

Mrs. McDonald was a devoted community person and served on the Elgin City Council. She was instrumental in getting the Elgin Community Center in place and in their continued fund raising efforts. She was an advocate for those with diabetes and was active in the "Daffodils for Diabetes" program each year. She was a member of the 20/10 program, the Indian Valley Paraders square dance club, the good Sam Club, the Rock Wall Grange the Dancing Wheels Motorcycle Club, the VFW Women's Auxiliary, just to name a few. She was Woman of the Year in Elgin in 1992 and earned the Mahlon Beals Lifetime Appreciation Award for over 25 years of service to the Community Center. Just recently Jessie and Lee were honored by the community by a dedication of the city pool in their names, the Lee and Jessie McDonald Memorial Pool. She loved to paint.

Survivors include her children, Bill McDowell of La Grande, Terri McDowell of Elgin, Kelly and Kathy McDowell of La Grande, Michael and Lynn McDonald of Southern California, William McDonald of Summerville, Patrick and Colleen McDonald of Elgin, Linda and Kenneth Buttolph of Boring and Sandra (McDonald-Bauer) and David Jeffords of North Pole, Alaska; 25 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; sister, Bethel Crogan of Elgin; brother, Esley Wilson of Pendleton; and other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by brothers, Fonzy Wilson, Jr., Fred Wilson, Rich Wilson, Sid Wilson and Willard Young.

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