Dorothy Lynn McDonald

Dorothy Lynn (Dot) McDonald, 93, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her home on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Mrs. McDonald was born in Elbert County, Georgia on May 7, 1931, the daughter of the late J.W. Maddox and Mozelle P. Saxon. She was a loving, compassionate and generous Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife and Friend always willing to help others.

Mrs. McDonald met her husband and father of her daughters, Gilbert, while she was working for the F W Woolworth Company in Atlanta, GA. Married in 1955, they enjoyed traveling, cooking, camping and boating, vegetable and flower gardening. She was the favorite cook in her entire family and her holiday meals were legendary. Her nieces and nephews to this day remark about her amazing ambrosia (food of the gods) and they also say she grilled the best hamburger ever.

In the era of big hair dos and evening gowns, she enjoyed regular trips to the Atlanta Civic Center to see plays and musicals with her Beta Sigma Phi friends Iola Stone and Mary George Bond. Her daughters contend that she always looked like a movie star in their eyes, especially on those occasions.

Mrs. McDonald spent most of her working years with the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce, where she retired as Executive Director in 1993. During her career, she was a member of the Georgia Economic Development Association, the US Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives where she served as its first female Chair. She was passionate about promoting business and industry in the county.

Following the passing of Gilbert in 2000 and shortly after her own Mother passed away in 2003, Mrs. McDonald took residence with her daughter, Donna, in Half Moon Bay, CA. She spent 21 more years enjoying her retirement, traveling throughout the country and being a wonderful grandmother to Donna’s furry four-legged friends. During those years she utilized her adventurous spirit and lived in several other cities with Donna including Kelseyville, CA, Hartwell, GA, Seattle, WA and Longmont, CO from 2019 until her death. In 2023 she fell and broke her hip at age 91. Due to her determination and zest for life she was able to beat the odds and leave the rehabilitation center to return to her home. Dot made many new friends at this time with physical therapy at home. She loved having the visitors and all marveled at her mental capacity, wit, and genuine interest in their personal lives. She loved to stay up to date with the news and current events, play cards, Scrabble and Bananagram, and work 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles. She had a super sharp mind and was still active until her passing. She spent her 93rd birthday with her beloved daughters, Donna and Debbie, picnicking in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Mrs. McDonald is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gilbert McDonald, and her sisters Ruby Maddox (infant), Jackie S. Manning and Phyllis S. Fleeman.

Survivors are her daughter, Donna McDonald of Longmont, CO, daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Phillip Swords of Conyers, GA, sister Betty Jo Edwards of Port Wentworth, GA, her aunt Sara P. Brown of Elberton, GA, her puppies, Gabriel, Corky and Ginger and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. McDonald was cremated and honored with a private ceremony in Longmont. Her final resting place will be at Elmhurst Cemetery in Elberton, GA. A Celebration of Life event will be held in Georgia at a date yet to be determined.

Cremation is entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the McDonald family.