Obituary of Kathleen D. McDonald

Brasher Falls –Kathleen D. McDonald, 93, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 at St. Regis Nursing Home in Massena. Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Kathleen was born on December 25, 1920 in Croghan, daughter of the late Walter and Flossie (Virkler) DeLaPorte. She graduated from Lowville Free Academy in 1938 and pursued her education at Central City Business Institute in Syracuse. Completing her studies in 1939, she went to work as a secretary at Miller Richardson Cheese Co. (now Kraft Foods) in Lowville. On December 15, 1942, she married Richard McDonald at St. Stephen's Church in Croghan, with Fr. Amadeus Burke celebrating. Mr. McDonald died on July 11, 1975. Through the years, Kathleen worked at Cornhusker Ordnance Plant and Chamber of Commerce in Grand Island, NB; St. Regis Paper Company in Deferiet; Northern New York Trust Company in Carthage and then Massena. In 1954, her family moved to Brasher Falls and she went to work as an administrative assistant at the Aluminum Company of America in Massena. She retired in 1986 after 30 years of service to relax and enjoy knitting, crocheting and reading. She knitted over 150 bonnets for newborn babies, born at Canton Potsdam Hospital. Kathleen volunteered for Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, Inc. for 14 years, receiving "The Hearts and Hands" award in 1999. She was a communicant of St. Patrick Church, also serving on the parish council and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society; a member of the American Legion Post #514 Auxiliary; a member of the ALCOA 25 Year Club and a member of the Tri-Town Senior Citizens. She is survived by her daughter Patricia M. Francis of Winthrop; three grandsons, Donald Francis of Brasher Falls, Timothy Francis of Massena and Scott and Jennifer Francis of Brasher Falls; one brother, Henry DeLaPorte of Glenfield; three great granddaughters; two great grandsons; and 2 great great granddaughters. Three sisters, Stella DeLaPorte, Louise Roberts and Esther Virkler predeceased her. Following Kathleen's wishes there will be no calling hours. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 9:30am at St. Patrick Church in Brasher Falls with Rev. Garry Giroux celebrating. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in Kathleen's honor, please consider memorials to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, Inc. or Tri Town Rescue Squad. Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.hammillfh.com.