Judy R. McDonald

Judy R. McDonald, the true matriarch of the McDonald family, passed away to begin the next phase of her journey in the early evening of Sunday, March 2, 2014. Lying beside her was her loving husband Pat and her two devoted dachshunds, Otis and EmmyLou. Her three daughters and numerous grandchildren were also by her side.

Judy was the third of seven children born to Jack and Emma Hangas on May 29, 1940. They lived in Hamilton for three years before moving to Missoula. Judy attended Paxson Grade School and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1958. Being raised with the strong Hangas work ethic, she began working while attending high school and that work ethic persisted her entire life. She lived by her mother's advice "to have a plan/projects every day, to accomplish something" (sometimes to the chagrin of her husband).

On Dec. 12, 1959, Judy married fellow classmate Pat McDonald. Their three daughters, Lauri, Patti and Kristi, were born and another chapter began. Judy worked at various office jobs to help fund Pat's college education. During his college years, they lived in the University of Montana married student housing, aka the strip houses, which were barely livable, but rent including utilities was $32 a month! Judy made the best of any situation, never complaining about the lack of money or the meager living conditions.

Despite being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her early 30s she continued to live an active life, rarely if ever complaining of her chronic pain. She was the "Queen of Organization" (a trait often foreign to her husband) and "Master of the Label Maker" – nearly everything in the house was labeled. Her mother was a professional seamstress and Judy carried on this tradition. Her latest project was to create and sew bright, colorful dresses for little girls in Third World countries. She recently finished her 250th dress! Judy's generosity was conveyed in countless ways, especially toward her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; feeding those she loved with her phenomenal cooking and volunteering at the Polson Food Bank.

She was a proud wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always there to encourage us, cheer us on and support all our endeavors. We will miss her so and carry her spirit forward by making the world "a better place." She would want everyone to do the same.

Judy was preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie; brother, Ronnie; father, Jack; and mother, Emma. Her surviving family members include her husband, Pat; sisters, Sally Bauer, Diane (Ron) Conklin and Kathie (Danny) Blain; brothers, Vic (Ilona) Hangas and Dave (Diane) Hangas; daughters, Kristi (Cameron) Lawrence, Patti (Don) Dilworth and Lauri (Joe) McCarthy; grandchildren, Dustin, Leticia, Taresa, Chad, Hanah and Kegan; and great-granddaughters, Lily, Nora and Annabelle.

The world improved just a little bit on May 29, 1940, and shrunk just a little bit at 5:09 p.m. on March 2, 2014!

A memorial service and celebration of Judy's life will be held Friday, March 7, at

3 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, with a reception to follow.

In keeping with Judy's compassionate nature, she would say please "hold the flowers" and donate to the following: Missoula Manor Homes, 909 W. Central Ave., Missoula, MT 59801; or Fishes and Loaves "Polson Food Bank," 10 Eighth Ave E., Polson, MT 59860.

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."

– Albert Camus
Read Judy McDonald's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.