Patricia “Patty” McDonald of Birmingham, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Patty was a leading arts philanthropist and community leader, supporting a multitude of organizations and activities in the greater Birmingham community. Patty championed the arts as a performer, sponsor, mentor, and as a tireless advocate for the role that theater, music, and dance played in the development of the community.
As an actress, Patty appeared in many memorable performances including the role of “Melissa” in Virginia Samford Theater’s Love Letters and “Glinda, the Good Witch” in Red Mountain Theater’s The Wizard of Oz.
As a leader, Patty served on the advisory boards of the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts; the Alabama Ballet; Opera Birmingham, Red Mountain Theatre; Virginia Samford Theatre; Birmingham Music Club; Samford University Arts Executive Council; VSA Arts of Alabama; Oasis Counseling for Women and Children; Steel City Men’s Chorus; and served as Honorary Chair for Birmingham AIDS Outreach Arty Party. Patty was a Sustaining Member of the Women’s Committee of 100 for Birmingham. She also served on the Board of Directors for the City of Birmingham’s Arlington House Museum for many years.
Patty supported arts education and established several scholarships in the belief that a strong commitment to education through the arts provided opportunities for youth, “for their spirit, for their development, for their enjoyment, and for their participation in all aspects of their lives.”
In recognition of her contributions to the Birmingham and Alabama arts communities, Patty was honored by the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts with the “Volunteer in Philanthropy” award and received the Red Mountain Theatre’s first “Star Award.” She was also named a “Star” by Opera Birmingham and received the “Outstanding Service to the Community” award from the Birmingham Area Theatre Alliance. In 2020, Patty was selected by the Alabama State Council on the Arts to receive the Albert B. Head Council Legacy Award, the highest arts honor given by the State of Alabama.
Patty was born in Denver, Colorado, attended the Colorado State University and graduated from the University of Denver. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Pat” McDonald, and is survived by her daughter Patricia Rote (Jeffrey) of Hamilton, Virginia.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Samford Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre, or to any of the numerous arts and community organizations that serve Birmingham.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the MCDONALD family.
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