Obituary

Velma Grace McDonald was born February 7, 1925, in Bellingham, WA to Clyde and Clara Cline, and passed away at the age of 99 on July 19, 2024. Mom was the second of 4 children and grew up in Fairhaven. She married Clayton McDonald on June 27, 1942. They were both 17, and mom said that everybody said it wouldn’t last 6 months, but they proved them wrong and were married 72 years. They had 5 children: Michael, Steve, Randy, Scott, and Kerry.

When Kerry (the youngest) was in third grade, Mom attended McDonald’s Beauty School. She worked as a beautician for many years. She then went to work at Bornstein’s and worked there until her retirement.

Mom loved to knit and was a voracious reader. Up until just the last couple of years, Kerry would have to load 12-15 books onto her Kindle every 6 weeks. Mom’s greatest joy was spending time with her children and their families. She was an incredible mother to all of us, and was the rock of our family. Her love knew no bounds. She was a good friend to many, and was always kind. Despite the difficult things life brought her, mom would stand strong, say “it’s what it is” and move forward.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, dad, sons Michael and Steve, and her siblings, Marie, Burton, and Hazel.

Mom is survived by her children Randy McDonald (Connie), Scott McDonald (Lorie), and Kerry Messer (Mick), along with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

A graveside service will take place July 29, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale, Washington. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held in the Moles Farewell Tributes – Greenacres chapel at 2:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice.