Edith "Penny" Macdonald

Edith "Penny" Macdonald, 86, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2015 at Hospice Austin's Christopher House. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Betty and Robert Powell, David and Liz Macdonald, Susan and Richard Marshall, Andrew and Sandra Macdonald, and Mark Macdonald; by six grandchildren, Catherine Powell; Brooks, Tara, and Meredith Macdonald; Anna Macdonald; and Christina Marshall.

Penny was born Edith Beeley on July 23, 1928 in St. Lambert, Quebec, Canada, and grew up in the Montreal suburb of Longueil. After marrying Frank Macdonald, she moved with him to New York and later to Houston, Texas, where the couple brought up their five children and where Penny worked as the Office Manager for the Walnut Bend Home Association for over thirty years. After retiring at age 75, Penny made her home in Austin, where she continued to pursue her passions for tennis, running, bridge, and travel. Penny joined St. John Neumann parish, becoming active in the OPUS group and volunteering at Mobile Loaves and Fishes. For the many years before dialysis treatment curtailed her social life, she was a Boutique Lady at SteinMart, a member of the Lost Creek Garden Club, a volunteer at the Westlake Library, and a friend to young and old.

Penny loved a good party and had frequently told her family that, when the time came, she expected a big one to celebrate her life. Her children promised to honor her wishes.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, February 12, 2015 with a Recitation of the Rosary and Sharing of Memories at 7:00 P.M.in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 5455 Bee Cave Road, Father Jim Evans, Celebrant at 1:00 P.M., Friday, February 13, 2015 with the promised celebration of Penny’s life immediately following at the House on the Hill, 319 Addie Roy Road.

The family will be happy to welcome her friends to any or all of these memorials.

For those desiring, contributions may be made in Penny’s memory to Hospice Austin or Mobile Loaves and Fishes.