Virginia "Gina Brumme" MacDonald

Virginia "Gina" Brummé MacDonald, 81, of Missoula, passed away Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, at St. Patrick Hospital surrounded by her children. She had spent the day with all of her children, their spouses and all of her grandchildren celebrating a life well spent. Goodbyes and I-love-yous were said, hugs and kisses were given, as well as any last tidbit of advice bestowed. Mom's body was tired and she was ready to go.

Gina was born on Sept. 2, 1932, in Detroit to Mary Virginia Brummé and Carl Brummé. She was an only child for seven years until she became a big sister to her brother Carl. She fondly recalled stories of summers spent at the family cottage on Walloon Lake.

She and a friend delivered a brand-new Detroit-made car to Los Angeles, where she chose to stay to start the next chapter of her life. While attending a beach party, she met a handsome Marine named Ralph MacDonald. As history will tell, they hit it off and married on Feb. 2, 1957, where they started a life together that would last 50 years. That life included the birth of six children, numerous family pets, too many friends to count and many summers spent at the family cabin on Flathead Lake. Mom and Dad enjoyed travel together with family, Friendship Force, and camping with "The Old Geezers."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; and her son, Brian. Survivors include her children, Scott (Kelly) MacDonald, Craig (Linda Matz) MacDonald, Deidre (Greg) Frame, Laird MacDonald and Heidi (Randy Scott) MacDonald; and grandchildren, Grant, Nolan and Piper Frame, Olivia and Bryce MacDonald, Bailey, Macklyn, Addison and Sullivan Scott, Daylin, Dare and Ada Scott. And, of course, her companion to the very end, Toby, her dog.

We would like to thank the staff at St. Patrick's ICU for taking such incredible care of our mom. You made her last days very comfortable and she welcomed you into her life. We would also like to thank her very good friends who were such an important part of her everyday life up until the very end. If you feel inspired to honor her memory with a gift, the Missoula Food Bank and Poverello Center held a special place in her heart.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Christ the King Church, 1400 Gerald Ave. A reception will follow.

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