Obituary of Mary Ann McDonald

Mary Ann McDonald, 84, of Charleston, South Carolina passed away on April 1st, 2023, after a hard fought battle with a rare blood cancer.

Mary Ann, born to the late Effie L. Canaday and Leon H. Altman, took her first breath on August 17, 1938. She graduated from Rivers High School on Rutledge Avenue in 1956. She now joins her beloved late husband, Lieutenant Colonel Warren J. "Mickey" McDonald (US Army, Retired), on a new journey together.

She was an extraordinary homemaker and event organizer of the many social functions she and Mickey hosted and participated in prior to her illness. She always enthusiastically opened her home to those in need. While in Thailand, she cared for a young child prior to his adoption in the United States. Also, she opened her home to Citadel cadets, providing meals and a place to stay. Mary Ann volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a longtime dedicated member of the Ashbury/St James United Methodist Church. Above almost everything else in this world, she loved her family and treasured every moment shared with them.

Mary Ann will be remembered as an avid athletic supporter, taking her sons to countless practices and games, and participating as Team Mom whenever possible. She also was a lifelong fan of Citadel athletics, traveling throughout the U.S. and Hawaii to support her and Mickey’s cherished Bulldogs. Taking up golf later in life she quickly improved her game, displaying her prowess in numerous tournaments with the Charleston Area Ladies Golf Association and around the southeast.

Mary Ann is survived by her sister, Shirley Hendrix of Mt Pleasant, SC; three sons: Warren “Mac” McDonald of Colorado Springs, CO, Mike McDonald and his wife, Meg of Niceville, FL and Mark McDonald and his wife, Sharon of Amherst, MA; 8 grandchildren: Sarah, Colin, Amber, Ben, Michael, Kelsey, Caity and Matthew; four great grandchildren: John, Hunter, Alexa, and Taiga; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mary Ann's life is planned for Tuesday, May 2nd, at 11:00 am at Ashbury/St. James United Methodist Church, 754 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403. Memorials may be made to Asbury/St. James United Methodist Church, 754 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403 or The Citadel Alumni Association, Class of 1957, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409-6130.