Joan M. McDonald

McDonald, Joan M., 92, former resident of Farmingdale for over 62 years, recent resident of Hampton Bays, passed away peacefully while visiting her daughter Maureen in Georgia on April 19, 2024, one week before her 93rd birthday. She was born in the Bronx on April 25, 1931, to Hugh and Marie Cox, the third of six children. After graduating high school, Joan worked for the Telephone company in Hempstead. She aspired to go to college to become an engineer, but was discouraged because during those times, girls did not go to college or certainly become engineers.  In 1952, Joan married George McDonald, the brother of her sister Madeline’s husband, John McDonald. George and Joan moved to Farmingdale in 1959 where they raised five children George, Kevin, Maureen, William, and Eileen. When all her children were in school, she decided to go back to nursing school, earning her Licensed Practical Nursing degree, in 1973. Joan finished top in her class and was voted by her peers to have had the best bedside manner. She worked at the convent infirmary for the Sisters of St. Dominic in Amityville. As educators, the Sisters of St. Dominic also ran Queen of the Rosary Academy for girls where both of Joan’s two daughters attended. After over 20 dedicated years, Joan retired at 62. She was a prolific volunteer in her Farmingdale years in support of her children’s school and church activities. She was president for multiple terms of the St. Kilian’s Mothers Club. She was also the president of the Queen of the Rosary Academy Parents Association. She volunteered with AHRC where her son William participated in many programs. In all these instances, she was a leader with a cooperative style, who wanted to get stuff done whatever she was doing. Joan had a terrific sense of humor, she laughed at her own jokes, sometimes more than everyone else did, which was by itself hysterical. She noted over the years that she never had a day in her life where she did not laugh or smile. She drove a white 1967 fastback model Mustang in the early seventies. When teenagers would see her drive around the neighborhood picking up any of her children from dancing, sports, scouts, or church activities they would check out her car and then they would realize a silver-haired, smartly dressed woman was driving. It was reported that she loved the jaw dropping reaction of others as much as she liked driving the car itself. Joan was a fair justice, seeking thinker and cared about the struggles of folks with modest means, and practiced her politics and her charity accordingly. Joan had four grandchildren Lauren, Erin, Kyle and Tyler. She loved each of them immensely. She was always rooting for their adventures through life and into adulthood, and she richly enjoyed how their modern lives were so much more amazing than her opportunities, but always with celebration. Joan enjoyed family gatherings, where she wanted to know everyone’s latest adventures. She celebrated their successes with genuine effusive excitement, and also counseled patience, care, and empathy when folks faced difficulties. She was convinced the next day would always bring bright sunshine. This August, Granny, was blessed again with Erin’s daughter Charlotte Hawkins. As Joan was slowing down, there was no greater source of enjoyment, happiness, and amusement than the presence of Charlotte. Joan is predeceased by her husband George McDonald who died in 2019 at the age of 90. She is survived by sons; George Jr., Kevin and his wife Anne, their sons Kyle Mcdonald (Erica), Tyler McDonald; Maureen and Paul Merkel, daughters Lauren (David Kennington), and Erin (Matt Hawkins) and baby Charlotte; William, and Eileen Grim (the late Scott). The family will receive visitors Sunday, April 28th, 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc., 315 Conklin St, Farmingdale. Funeral Mass Monday, April 29th, 9:45 am at St. Kilian RC Church. Interment following at St. Charles Cemetery.

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