June Rose MacDonald

MISSOULA – June Rose MacDonald, 88, of Missoula passed away on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, following a brief illness at St. Patrick Hospital.

She was born June 11, 1924, in Detroit, Mich., to William and Bertha Brazell. June was a tomboy who loved fishing and outdoor activities with her father and older brothers. The youngest of four children, she graduated from Detroit Southeastern High School. On Thanksgiving Day, 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Archie MacDonald, the day before he reported for basic training in the U.S. Army.

A true child of the Great Depression, June never forgot the hard times and to care for those in even greater need. She was frugal to herself and generous to others.

Over the years she worked as a secretary and in retail sales, but always considered her full-time job to be that of wife and mother. She loved to knit and over the years made hundreds of sets of hats, mittens and blankets for orphans and children in need. June was an ardent crafter who dabbled in painting, ceramics and flower decorating but her true passion was gardening.

June and Archie retired to Missoula in 1990. Following his death in 2005 she became active in the Red Hat Society where she was well known for her annual Christmas party.

She is survived by her son, Greg and daughter-in-law Helen of Bonner; daughter Sandra Smith and son-in-law Winston of Lake Orion, Mich.; son Ian and daughter-in-law Vicki or Clarkston, Mich.; nine grandchildren and a bevy of great- and great-great-grandchildren.

Those wishing to honor June's memory are asked to do so by remembering your local food bank, homeless shelter or Humane Society.

Read June MacDonald's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.